HC Deb 15 May 1912 vol 38 cc1138-40
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, he is prepared to recommend His Majesty to extend the clemency of the Crown to Mr. Tom Mann, now undergoing a sentence of six months' imprisonment for saying at a public meeting that soldiers ought not to shoot workmen on strike, by remitting the remainder of the sentence?

Mr. McKENNA

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on Monday.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In consequence of the answer given, I beg to give notice that I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House to call attention to the delay of the Home Office in considering this question.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked whether he can yet make any statement as to the case of Mr. Tom Mann and as to the other Syndicalist prosecutions?

The PRIME MINISTER

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for North-East Manchester.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

I rise to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, i.e., the delay of the Home Secretary in considering the sentence passed on Tom Mann.

Mr. McKENNA

In connection with this point, may I be allowed to say that I have asked for the notes in this case, but have not yet received them. When I get them I shall have to study them, and, if I find occasion to do so, I shall then have to communicate with the judge. In these circumstances, I submit that there cannot have been delay on my part.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In the event of a definite understanding that I shall have an answer on Monday next I will not press the Motion to-day.

Mr. McKENNA

It is impossible for me to make any such pledge. Many of the circumstances which I have stated are not under my complete control. So far as I am concerned, however, there will be no delay,

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Over a week has elapsed since the case was tried and sentence pronounced, and I feel bound to ask leave to move the Motion.

Mr. SPEAKER

I am afraid I must accept the statement of the Home Secretary that he has not yet received the notes. If he has not, there has been no delay on his part in considering them. I think the better plan would be for the hon. Member to renew his Motion on Monday, and if he can then show there has been delay on the part of the Home Secretary, it will be for the House to consider the matter. In view of the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman the hon. Member can hardly properly press his Motion now.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

I will put down a question for Monday next.