§ 51. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Prime Minister how long His Highness Prince Albert John Charles Frederick 841 Alfred George of Schleswig-Holstein, major a la suite Leib Garde Hussaren (Germany), now in arms against the Sovereign and people of this Empire, is to be retained in the possession of the honours of G.C.V.O. conferred on him in 1897, and G.C.B. conferred on him in 1900; and on what grounds, when other traitorous personages have been expelled from British Orders of knighthood, an exception has been hitherto made in this case?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI find on examination that this is by no means an isolated case, and, before any action of the kind suggested by my hon. and learned Friend is taken, there must be a general consideration of the whole matter.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the Prime Minister under any confusion of thought that the House could pass a measure in five minutes, and, if that is the feeling of the House, will he take an opportunity to introduce a Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt does not require legislation.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMThen why do you not act?
§ Mr. MacNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few days a person has been degraded from the Order of Knighthood, and may I ask why there is one law in the case of homemade traitors and another law in the case of German made opportunists?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said this is not an isolated case, and that the cases must be considered as a whole.
§ Mr. MacNEILLAs the cases for the Knights of the Garter are regarded as a whole, what difference is there in this case and the case of Casement?
§ Sir E. CARSONIs it not a fact that the person mentioned here was in the German Army for many years before the War broke out?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes; he is a German subject.
Sir H. DALZIELIn view of the fact that there has been two years to consider this matter is there any hope that it will be dealt with before the War is over?