HC Deb 19 February 1918 vol 103 cc609-10
50. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reasons which led to the early return of the Attorney-General from the United States?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The return of my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has not been hastened. On the contrary, he has found it possible to prolong his stay in America beyond the time which he anticipated when he sailed.

Mr. LYNCH

May I ask this question entirely without prejudice: Was his recall in association with the alleged interview which was published in the "Boston Post"?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I can answer entirely without prejudice that he was not recalled.

Mr. KING

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement which was issued by the Embassy at Washington, which gave colour to the idea that he certainly was returning home in advance?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have not seen any such statement, and I do not think any such statement was issued or exists. My information is entirely to the contrary.

Mr. KING

As it appears in the "Times"— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

Mr. BUTCHER

Am I right in supposing that the alleged interview in the "Boston Post" was entirely fictitious?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My right hon. Friend has said so, and I should have thought any sane man who considered it would have known that.

Mr. KING

Has the right hon. Gentleman read it himself, and, if so, has he not discovered internal evidence that part of it was authentic?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have read it myself, and I put myself in the category of sane men.