§ 37. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked why proceedings have been initiated against Mrs. Flora Drummond and Mrs. Dacre Fox for 720 openly and deliberately advocating acts of militancy and violence at public meetings, whilst no similar proceedings are contemplated against those Privy Councillors, King's Counsel, and Army officials who have been advocating a like policy in Ulster; and whether this is to be taken to mean that the advocacy of the enfranchisement of women is a greater offence against the State than is His fostering of armed rebellion against the State in Lister?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt would not be proper for me to discuss the circumstances of cases which are now sub judice All I can say is that the hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension if he supposes that the advocacy of the enfranchisement of women is an offence at all. It is not the advocacy of enfranchisement, but the advocacy of arson and outrage which constitutes a criminal offence, and it is that which I am endeavouring to check and suppress when evidence is available on which legal proceedings can be taken.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEIs the advocacy of arson in England any more an offence against the law than the advocacy of armed rebellion in Ulster, and, if not, why is no action taken against the Ulster people while action is taken against these women?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am unable to draw any parallel of criminality between the advocacy of arson and the advocacy of armed rebellion. The only thing that I am responsible for is the maintenance of law in this country.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it because you are afraid to tackle the other side?