HC Deb 02 April 1914 vol 60 cc1365-6
71. Mr. HUNT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will lay upon the Table the document furnished to him by the War Office relating to the British Army and Ulster written on House of Commons notepaper?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir. I will circulate with the Votes a copy of the letter which was sent in a House of Commons envelope with the compliments of the hon. Member to officers and non-commissioned officers of various British regiments. [See Written Answers this date.]

Mr. HUNT

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he tried to make the point with such unnecessary inexactitude in stating that the letter was written on House of Commons notepaper?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am very sorry if I have done the hon. Gentleman any injustice in that respect. The letter was a large document printed on a kind of flimsy notepaper, which is not similar to that provided by the House of Commons, but it was sent in a House of Commons envelope, so I do not think there is any difference between us on the question of principle.

Mr. HUNT

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that he said and made the point that the document was written on House of Commons notepaper. Was the letter written on the envelope or on the paper of the House of Commons?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I hope I may infer from these inquiries that the hon. Gentleman is ashamed of his conduct.

Mr. HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he ought to be ashamed of his conduct because he stated a fact that was not true?