§ 12. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the statement which the American lawyer who watched the Roger Casement trial here wrote to the late Foreign Secretary is alleged to have been untrue, that the British Government had prevented certain relevant material being brought before the Court, thus obtaining conviction and sentence without the Court having the whole case before it, why was not the statement denied or challenged when made; what evidence is offered to support any denial of it now; and whether the statement in question was communicated to the then Prime Minister and Government before the execution, while the commutation of the sentence was being considered?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)The statement referred in in the first part of the question was untrue, and it was immediately denied. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what is meant by his saying that this statement is not true? Did not this American lawyer send the statement to the ex-Foreign Secretary? Did he or did he not? Mr. Speaker, I must ask you for your protection against the right hon. Gentleman's saying that what appears on the Paper is not true. I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer whether it is or is not true that this statement was sent to the ex-Foreign Secretary? Mr. Speaker, am I not entitled to an answer?
§ Mr. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman is unnecessarily indignant. I did not say that the hon. Member had said anything that was untrue. I said that the statement referred to in the first part of the question is untrue.
§ Mr. GINNELLWas the statement sent, or was it not? The House is entitled to know whether it is a true or false statement that is on the Paper. Am I not entitled to an answer to clear my character? Mr. Speaker, I must remain standing until I get an answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has had his categorical answer, that the first statement in the question is not true.
§ Mr. GINNELLI want to know what it means. Does it mean that no such statement? was sent to the ex-Foreign Secretary?
§ Mr. BALFOURThe hon. Member drew up his own question, and he knows what the statement referred to in the first part of the question is; but I do not think it is happily expressed, and if the hon. Gentleman will put down another question more happily expressed perhaps I may be able to give him an answer which will satisfy him more than does that which I have given.