HC Deb 13 June 1917 vol 94 cc938-9
55. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Prime Minister, since Mrs. Pankhurst's qualification for leading a mission of ladies to Petrograd is the fact of having suffered imprisonment for her political convictions, whether Irish ladies having the same qualification will be invited to join the Pankhurst group or given the same help and facilities for sending a delegation of their own; and, if not, will he state the reason for the difference?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I cannot accept the assumption on which this question is based.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question and state the reasons for the difference in this case?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As far as I know, the reason for permitting Mrs. Pankhurst to go was not that she had been in prison. The House will remember that what the Government does is not to arrange to let people go, but, when they think it necessary, to prevent them going, and that is all that we did in this case.