HC Deb 19 December 1916 vol 88 cc1304-5
70. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Prime Minister whether he can explain the delay in introducing the promised Bill to deal with enemy German princes holding seats in the House of Lords; whether it is intended seriously to proceed with the Bill; whether, if prepared, it will be introduced in the House of Lords; and, if so, for what reason?

80 Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the ttiles of G.C.B. and G.C.V.O. are still held by His Highness Prince Albert John Charles Frederick Alfred George of Schleswig-Holstein, now in arms against the Sovereign and people of this Empire; if so, why has this traitorous personage not been struck off the roll of these knighthoods, in accordance with the promise of the late Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Donegal; (2) whether he is aware that the Emperor of Germany, the Crown Prince of Germany, Prince Henry of Prussia, the Grand Duke of Hesse, and the Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, all enemies at open war with the Sovereign and people of these countries, are holders of the Royal Victorian Chain in the Royal Victorian Order; why have they not been struck off, as the names of enemy princes have been struck off the roll of the Order of the Garter; and (3) whether His Royal Highness Charles Edward, Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence, and Baron Arklow, Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, who is in command of German troops at war with the Sovereign and people of this Empire, and who, before the battle of the Ancre, arrived in the neighbourhood for the purpose of reviewing the German regiment of which he is a colonel, is still a G.C.V.O.; and, if so, what is the reason for the delay in striking him off the roll of that order of knighthood, having regard to the promise given by the late Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Donegal?

Mr. BONAR LAW

With the permission of the House, I will answer these questions together. As I have already explained, the Government are not in a position to deal with this matter before the Recess, but I have undertaken that, with this reservation, there will be no delay.

Mr. MacNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that so far back as the 27th of July last the late Prime Minister promised me on the floor of this House that legislation would be instantly instituted, and that he likewise promised me that other gentlemen would be struck off the roll of knighthood. That could be done by a stroke of the pen, utterly irrespective of Parliament. Why is the House to be trifled with any longer in this way?

Mr. BONARLAW

During the ten days or so of the existence of this Government we have not had time to deal with anything that does not arise in connection with the War.

Mr. LYNCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman remove the impression which prevails in this country that these men are being protected on account of their relationship?

Mr. MacNEILL

It was stated that there were difficulties in relation to that Bill. I believe there are none. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider a Bill I have prepared myself, and that I would bring in to-morrow if I were allowed? I ask him to take this Bill and lay it before the Law Officers of the Crown.

Mr. BONARLAW

I shall be extremely glad to get the Bill, and I have no doubt it will be of assistance to the officials concerned in the matter.