§ Mr. BYRNE(in whose name stood Questions Not. 61 and 62, relating to the disturbances in Ireland): I have been requested to postpone these questions. In acceding to 1504 that request, may I ask for a guarantee that no more labour leaders will be arrested?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid I cannot give a guarantee of that kind.
§ Mr. GINNELL(who had given notice, of Questions No. 63, 64, and 83, relating to the disturbances in Ireland): Mr. Speaker, you have passed over Questions 63 and 64.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI understood that the hon. Member had been asked to postpone them.
§ Mr. TENNANTI understood that the hon. Gentleman had received a request to postpone Questions 63, 64, and 83. The information to enable me to answer them has not yet reached me.
§ Mr. GINNELLI have not received the request.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYSeveral of us have received requests from the right hon. Gentleman to postpone our questions, arid we have gladly acceded. At the same time I think we are entitled to know when we should put the questions down again, as our Constituents are anxious to get the information.
§ Mr. TENNANTI am sure the hon. and learned Member realises my position in this matter. I am unable to issue either orders or instructions. All I can do is to get such information as I can over the telegraph wires. The wires are very congested, and it has been impossible for the War Office to obtain the information necessary to answer these questions. I hope that the situation may be relieved on the return of the Prime Minister, but I am not able to make any promise.
§ Mr. HEALYI gladly accept the statement of the right hon. Gentleman. But we are in receipt of hundreds of messages from all parts of the country complaining of the state of things that is going on; therefore I think it is only fair that our Constituents should know that at all events we are trying to elicit the information, but cannot get it. Does the right hon. Gentleman know when the Prime Minister will return?
§ Mr. TENNANTI believe at the end of the week.