HC Deb 25 July 1918 vol 108 cc2003-4
55. Colonel RAWSON

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the promise of the Government to give reasons for the granting of titles, he can state the reason for the bestowal of a viscounty on Lord Wimborne?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am informed that a viscounty of the United Kingdom was conferred upon Lord Wimborne in recognition of the services he rendered as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from February, 1915, until April, 1918.

Sir R. COOPER

Is it not a fact that the Government promised that when these titles are given some explanation of the reason would be made public, and in this case it was not so?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I should have thought that in the case of a Lord Lieutenant it was not necessary.

Mr. KING

It he discharged his duties so well as to merit a viscounty, why was he asked to resign?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Who informed the hon. Gentlemnan that he was asked to resign?

Mr. DILLON

Was he even given leave to resign—was he not kicked out?

Mr. DEVLIN

May I ask whether everyone who is kicked out of a Government office gets a title?

Mr. HOGGE

Was it because he had no knowledge of the plot which the Government discovered?

Mr. DILLON

He would not invent a plot when he was asked to do so!

Mr. S. MacNEILL

He was too much of a gentleman for that!