§ 49. Mr. LYNCHasked whether an opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the question of the responsibility of Prime Ministers in regard to the recommendations they submit to the King for the bestowal of honours?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have no reason to think that there is any general desire for such a discussion.
§ Mr. LYNCHHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that an ex-Prime Minister declared that he had made a recommendation for the Garter on account of the wounds inflicted by newspapers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI heard that statement, but it was not quite in that form. The two things occurred simultaneously, 1155 and it did imply that the value of Lord Kitchener's services were impressed upon his mind at the moment by the attacks.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the rumour that the Minister of Reconstruction, in one of his schemes, proposes to make everybody a knight after the War?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the surprise created by the title which has been bestowed upon the Mayor of the borough that he represents?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to recommend to the Prime Minister that in future, when any gentlemen are recommended for these distinctions, their respective qualifications should be discussed in this House before the titles are conferred?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am hardly prepared to make that recommendation. If it were possible to have such a discussion, it would have to be at a time when the other Members did not want to be present.