HC Deb 17 July 1911 vol 28 cc666-7
Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the London Hippodrome a variety entertainment is being given containing, inter alia, two items described as Velanche's Marvellous Football Dogs and Madame Réjane in "La Chance du Mari"; whether this place of entertainment has a licence for stage plays, and, if not, whether the first item is permissible whereas the second is an open defiance of the law; whether he is further aware that a witness from the Home Office appeared before the Censorship Committee presided over by the present Postmaster-General, and expressly defended the policy of the present licensing discrimination as against unification of theatre and of music hall licences, which was unanimously recommended by the committee; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will, either officially or as a common informer under the Act, at once cause Madame Réjane and her manager to appear before the police magistrate in the district, there to answer to the charge of a breach of good manners, decorum, and the public peace by the per- formance of an illegal play unlicensed by the Lord Chamberlain, with a view to confining her in future to activities within the legal ambit of the licence such as those of Velanche's Marvellous Football Dogs?

May I ask the Home Secretary to bear in mind that the question was postponed from last Wednesday, and suggest that if he proposes to enforce the laws of this country it may now be necessary to apply for the extradition of Madame Réjane?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I understand that Madame Réjane's engagement came to an end on Saturday last. The case does not appear to differ from many others, and I suppose that my hon. Friend's object is to illustrate the desirability of alterations in the law rather than to press for the institution of proceedings. I can only say that in view of the number of more urgent matters that are before the House, I cannot hold out hope of legislation this year on this highly controversial subject.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

In order that the House may appreciate the significance of the question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he could give the House a short epitome of the plot of "La Chance du Mari"?

Mr. R. HARCOURT

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that the question of copyright has been dealt with? Will he take the question into consideration in the early future?