HC Deb 09 November 1916 vol 87 cc370-2
6. Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to statements made by the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark in New York, and particularly to his repudiation of the statement of the Secretary of State for War that peace suggestions from neutrals would be unwelcome at present to Great Britain and her Allies; and if he will state why this hon. Member was allowed to go to America?

Lord R. CECIL

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kirkcaldy on the 8th instant.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Will the Noble Lord answer the last part of the question?

Lord R. CECIL

I explained yesterday—I am not clear that my hon. Friend was here—that at the time this passport was issued it was not customary to ask the purpose for which the journey was to be undertaken, unless there was some reason to suspect the bona fides of the applicant. I used those words or words to that effect. Therefore no inquiry was made as to the hon. Member's purpose in visiting America. Since that date the practice has been changed, and now everybody is required to state the purpose for which they desire to go.

Mr. ASHLEY

Is it not the fact that last September the hon. Member went to America for the second time? Surely he had to go to the Home Office or the Foreign Office and say, "I am going to America again"?

Lord R. CECIL

I think that if my hon. Friend will refer to my answer he will find that that is what I stated—that at the time the hon. Member got his passport it was not necessary to give information as to the purpose of the journey.

Mr. ASHLEY

Is it not the fact that last September applicants had to state their reasons?

Lord R. CECIL

The hon. Member had already got his passport then. I do not suppose—but I am speaking now without inquiry—he had any further visa.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Will the Noble Lord consider whether some statement should not be made—

Mr. SPEAKER

This is becoming a Debate. I must remind hon. Members that we have 233 questions on the Paper.

72. Mr. RONALD McNEILL

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered in America by the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark advocating intervention by the United States, and asserting that the Secretary of State for War does not represent true feeling in England; whether the Mid-Lanark Liberal Association has declared by resolution that the hon. Member does not represent the opinions of his constituency, and has called upon him to resign his seat; and whether the Government will take steps to inform the American Government that the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark has been repudiated by his constituents. and represents no section of public opinion in Great Britain?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)

I have seen a report of the speech in the Press, but I do not know if it is accurate. I understand that the attitude of the Mid-Lanark Liberal Association is as described in part two of the question, but I do not consider it necessary to make any state- ment to the United States Government on the incident. The publicity already given to it ought to be sufficient.

74. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the prominence given and the satisfaction expressed in the German and pro-German Press in regard to the utterances of certain Members of this House who no longer possess the confidence of their party organisations in their constituencies; and whether, in view of the fact that these constituencies are by exceptional circumstances deprived of their normal constitutional rights of expressing their verdict on the action of their Members, he will devise some constitutional method of compelling these Members to seek re-election or surrender their seats?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not see any means by which the hon. Member's suggestion could be carried out.

Mr. BUTCHER

Is there no mode of dealing with cases of that sort except by a Motion for expulsion?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I know of none, and that is the answer given by the Prime Minister; no doubt after inquiry.