§ 51. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Prime Minister whether regard being had to the fact that his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, Earl of Armagh, and Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a traitor in arms with the enemies of these countries against the Sovereign and people of the British Empire, is in the line of succession to the throne under the provisions of the 1506 Act of Settlement, any and what steps will be taken to deprive him of his position under these provisions?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)If this could be done by a stroke of the pen I should not hesitate to advise His Majesty to do it, but the Act of Settlement cannot be altered without legislation, and, as the possibility of succession vested in the Duke of Cumberland is so remote as to be virtually non-existent, it does not appear that legislation on the matter would serve any practical purpose.
§ Mr. MacNEILLAfter ten days meditation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that this gentleman is at present in arms against us, that his son is in arms against us, that he has written a letter of congratulation to the German Emperor on the great victory at Jutland, and whether he is to be retained, Act of Parliament or no Act of Parliament, in possession of honours greater than were ever granted to the Duke of Wellington, while humble men on mere suspicion of treason are dismissed from their places?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI quite agree with my hon. Friend. I am in entire sympathy with him in this matter; but the question he puts to me has nothing to do with honours. The question is whether the possible succession of this person to the throne of England should be prevented. I agree that it ought to be prevented, but I do not believe that there is any possibility of that occurring.
§ Mr. MacNEILLHaving regard to the fact that the Royal Family are seated on the throne by this Act of Parliament is it not a slur upon this Act, upon them and upon us that he should be retained?
§ Mr. LYNCHCan the right hon. Gentleman say why he is continually shielding these German adventurers? Is it because they are German and royalties?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not shielding them at all. I share entirely the view of my hon. Friend (Mr. MacNeill).
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the Prime Minister aware that last week he said it would not require legislative measures to deal with these matters?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, no!
§ Sir A. MARKHAMSome of them, at all events. Is the right hon. Gentleman 1507 aware that there is not the slightest difficulty in bringing in a Bill and passing it through this House in three minutes?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am quite sure there is no probability, and no possibility, of the Duke of Cumberland succeeding to the Throne of this Realm.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhy will not the Prime Minister bring in a Bill when everybody in the House of Commons wants him to do that?
§ Mr. MacNEILLCannot this man—if I may call him so—be deprived of his knighthoods and other honours by a stroke of the pen? Why is that not done?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of this question.
§ Mr. MacNEILLI will call attention to this matter at the earliest opportunity.