PERSONAL EXPLANATION. (Hansard, 17 April 1914)

§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I desire to make a personal explanation with regard to an incident which occurred on the Motion for the Adjournment last night, when an erroneous impression was given that the hon. Member for South Birmingham (Mr. Amery) had in some way acted in a manner discourteous to the Prime Minister in the notice which he had given to the right hon. Gentleman. I wish to say that if there is any blame attaching to anybody it should attach to me, and not to my hon. Friend. When I have stated the facts I think the House will understand why I am raising this question. Yesterday the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin (Mr. Field), in a voice that was audible only to those sitting near him, said he would raise the question of foot-and-mouth disease on the Motion for the Adjournment. My hon. Friend the Member for South Birmingham, who came into the House later, also gave notice that he would raise a point on the Motion for the Adjournment. When questions were over I said to my hon. Friend that I felt sure the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division had already anticipated him, but he replied that he had been told by several people in the House that that was not the case. The hon. Member for South Birmingham consulted several people, and went to you, Mr. Speaker. It was your impression that there was nobody in front of my hon. Friend. I told him that I still believed the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division was in front of him, and I promised to find out from the hon. Member himself whether he had obtained first place. I consulted several Members of the Irish Nationalist party as to whether their colleague had priority. I also spent an hour trying to find the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division, who was not to be seen in his usual place in the shady corner of the Library; but at last he was placed in communication with my hon. Friend (Mr. Amery). They then went to you, Mr. Speaker, and my hon. Friend said he would waive his claim in favour of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division. He then very properly wrote to the Prime Minister to say that another hon. Member (Mr. Field) was in front of him, and that he would" not be able to raise the question of which he had given notice. Shortly afterwards it transpired that the hon. Member for Dublin's question was blocked by a Motion on the Paper, and could not be raised. My hon. 478 Friend the Member for South Birmingham then said he would raise his question on the Motion for the Adjournment, as intended. He informed the Whips on the other side of the House, and wrote to the Prime Minister. It was not until a few moments before the Motion for the Adjournment was made that my hon. Friend knew that the Prime Minister would not be present, and he certainly did not make any complaint. I wish to say that I took the action I did because I thought it was only fair to give the first chance to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division. Therefore if any inconvenience has been caused to the Prime Minister, it is my fault; but I hope the House will exonerate me from any intention of discourtesy.