§ 57. Mr. LYNNasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of his statement that a Departmental inquiry is the most suitable method for investigating the relations between the Sinn Fein movement and the German enemy and men inciting to disturbances and breaches of contract in dockyards, mines, etc., contrary to the Regulations of the Defence of the Realm Act, he will direct that such Departmental inquiry shall forthwith be made and that the evidence taken and the conclusions arrived at shall be published; if such Departmental inquiry has already taken place, will he without delay publish the conclusions and evidence, only withholding the names of witnesses in cases where the publication of such names might place the said witnesses in danger; and, if not, will he state what means he proposes to take in order to allow the people of the United Kingdom, of the British Empire, and of our Allies in America and Europe to judge as to the character of the Sinn Fein movement and whether it should or should not be regarded by them as having afforded help to the enemy and as being injurious to the interests of the United Kingdom and the British Empire and the cause of the Allies?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer my hon Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 27th February.
§ Captain REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if it is the intention of the Government to institute such an inquiry, he will institute a similar inquiry in regard to the relations existing between the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Duncairn (Sir E. Carson) and the Kaiser before the War, especially in relation to the luncheon party?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think I must answer that. I have not said that there is any inquiry, but from my own knowledge all the talk about the relations of my right hon. Friend with the Kaiser is purely without foundation.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it has as much foundation as the German plot?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, I am sorry to say, nothing like the same foundation.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the one case, we have a distinct statement publicly made 1192 that the right hon. Gentleman lunched with the German Emperor before the War, whereas we have no evidence about the German plot?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI did not say anything about the luncheon. I said it was absolutely untrue that there were any relations of any kind of a political nature between my right hon. Friend and the Kaiser.
§ Mr. DEVLINrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order! This has absolutely nothing whatever to do with the question.