95. Sir F. HALLasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the organisers of the Sinn Fein movement propose to raise a loan of one million sterling, half of which will be asked for in this country and in the Dominions; and whether subjects of His Majesty contributing to this loan would be guilty of treason?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Gordon Hewart)The answer to the question is in the negative. The organisers of the Sinn Fein movement have not been proclaimed the King's enemies, and I think that such a proclamation would be necessary before persons, if any, aiding them by loans could be held guilty of treason for so doing.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask the learned. Attorney-General whether, according to the actions and the speeches that have been made by Sinn Feiners, he does not think it is necessary at all events that some proclamation should be made, and does he know for what purpose this loan is being raised?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI do not profess to have read all the speeches to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, nor am I prepared on the spur of the moment to answer his other question.
Sir F. HALLSurely he has read many of the speeches to which I refer, and is it the intention of the Government to take any steps, or is it not?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI must have notice of that.
§ Mr. DEVLINIf he wants to read speeches, will he accept a copy from me of "The Handbook on Anarchy," recently published, where he will find many speeches of his colleagues and friends?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI shall be most happy to accept, without reference to the question of whether I shall read them!