§ 19. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose orders M. Lepert, a French gentleman travelling with regular passports and the bearer of letters signed by members of the French Government, was recently detained for four hours at Southampton, where he was subjected to rigorous search and much personal indignity and was robbed of private papers given him by French Ministers which have never been returned to him; what suspicion attached to this gentleman justifying such measures, and whether any evidence confirming such suspicion was found on M. Lepert or is in the possession of the Government?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONM. Lepert has been associated with persons who are strongly suspected of having contravened Defence of the Realm Regulation 30A, and as information was received that M. Lepert was intending to come to this country and would probably be carrying documents connected with a case now under investigation, he was searched as a necessary measure of precaution. He was not subjected to any personal indignity. All papers taken from him were returned to him the same day.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the information regarding this French gentleman's movements was given to himself in confidence, and that his own subordinates have involved him in a breach of confidence and given him false information in saying the papers were returned to him?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI must protest against that. As a matter of fact the hon. Gentleman made the statement that M. Lepert was coming to this country in the House three days before I saw him at the War Office.
§ Mr. McNEILLBut I did not tell the hon. Gentleman when.