HC Deb 19 February 1918 vol 103 cc622-3
Mr. BILLING

On a point of Order. I should like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether if I give private notice of a ques- tion to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs asking whether he has any details regarding the death of the late Sir Cecil Spring Rice, and whether a post-mortem has been held, you would not consider it of urgent public importance? I would like to ask you whether, having regard to the fact that it is largely due to the information supplied by Sir Cecil Spring Rice that the Bolo and Caillaux trials took place in France, and his visit to this country might have been detrimental to certain people, a post-mortem is not necessary, and whether the Government will not take some action in the matter?

Mr. SPEAKER

Unfortunately, that is not a matter of urgency. The hon. Gentleman may put a question in writing. As to the question of a post-mortem, I presume that would be a matter really for the Canadian or United States law.

Mr. BILLING

Am I in order in suggesting that it is a matter which requires a suggestion from this Government, in view of the position held in the United States by Sir Cecil Spring Rice?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a question which the hon. Gentleman is quite entitled to put down.