HC Deb 15 October 1912 vol 42 cc1058-9
46. Sir JOHN JARDINE

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the President of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce formal intimation, as representing that body, that organised resistance to the establishment of a Home Rule Government is being steadily prepared and that it can only be put down by the exercise of military force carried to the last extreme and the production of disorder and bloodshed unparalleled in our recent history; and, if so, what kind of action, if any, he intends to take under the circumstances to prevent such results?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

My right hon. Friend has received a letter from the President of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce in which the words cited by the hon. Member occur. With regard to the last part of the question, the Prime Minister has nothing to add to what he has already said in his speeches on this subject.

Mr. MOORE

Do the Government accept that information as accurate and as true?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Government will take note of any communication from an important body of that kind.

Mr. MOORE

Do the Government accept that statement as true, and, if so, what course are they going to adopt?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

It is not really a statement of fact, it is an expression of opinion. The Belfast Corporation are entitled to their own opinion, and the Government have already stated their opinion.

Mr. MOORE

I understand that the Government do not accept that expression of opinion, and if so, are they going to put these people to the trouble of giving further proof?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Government certainly accept it as an expression of the opinion of the Belfast Corporation.

Mr. MOORE

Do they accept it as an accurate statement of the facts in Belfast?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

They accept it I as an accurate expression of opinion of I the Corporation of Belfast.