HC Deb 19 February 1912 vol 34 cc286-7
Mr. LYNCH

asked the grounds on which leave was refused to Mr. Eden Philpotts to produce a play entitled "The Secret Woman"?

Mr. McKENNA

Leave has not been refused to produce the play "The Secret Woman." On consideration, and after consulting his Advisory Board, the Lord Chamberlain licensed this play to the manager of the Kingsway Theatre on the 5th instant, subject to the elimination of five short passages, which were considered objectionable.

Mr. LYNCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman, for the benefit of the Members of this House, kindly read those passages which were struck out as objectionable?

Mr. McKENNA

I shall be very happy to show the passages in question to any Member of the House privately, but I should be most unwilling to read out in public passages of so objectionable a character.

Mr. LYNCH

asked the number of cases within the last three months in which leave has been refused for the production of plays, and also the titles of the plays and the names of the authors; and the number of cases in which leave has been granted, the titles of the plays, and the names of the authors?

Mr. McKENNA

Three plays have been refused license by the Lord Chamberlain during the last three months. In addition to these the author of a play was offered a licence subject to the elimination of one passage and some slight alterations. He refused to accept a licence on these conditions. The number of plays licensed during the past three months amounts to about three hundred. I am not aware that any public advantage would be gained by giving the titles of the plays and the names of the authors.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

Should I be in order in asking the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that "The Secret Woman" is about to be performed, and whether he has any power to prohibit its performance under the conditions announced in the Press?

Mr. McKENNA

No, I do not think I should have any power. Of course, I must add, with regard to my previous statement, that the passages when isolated and read in that way may assume an objectionable character far greater than they may have if taken in conjunction with the rest of the play.