HC Deb 21 May 1912 vol 38 cc1749-50
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Prime Minister whether, if it be shown that there is a strong volume of opinion amongst Members of the House of Commons in favour of the enactment of the Political Offenders Bill, down for Second Reading on Tuesday, he will endeavour to give the time necessary to enable the Bill to pass this Session?

Mr. McKENNA

I am afraid that at this period of the Session it is impossible for the Government to give facilities for Private Members' Bills.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the Government consider the advisability of putting the terms of the Bill into practice without the Bill being passed?

Mr. McKENNA

I have not given sufficient study to the subject to answer that.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to say what is a political offender?

Mr. McKENNA

So far as my researches have gone, there is no case in which in my Department any distinction has been drawn between political and any other offenders.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that Dr. Jameson and his colleagues were treated as political offenders?

Mr. McKENNA

No. I have investigated that case and, although the offenders in question were treated differently, it was not on the ground that they were political offenders.

Mr. LANSBURY

Was it because of their social status?