§ 23. Captain FOXCROFTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any information in regard to a reception given at Rome by Mr. John O'Kelly, in the character of diplomatic delegate extraordinary of the Government of the Irish 1424 Republic; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)I understand that two or three hundred persons attended a reception held at an hotel in Rome on the 26th May, at which disloyal songs were sung and disloyal speeches were made. Mr. John O'Kelly attended this meeting. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Captain W. BENNWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "disloyal songs?" [An HON MEMBER: "The Wearing of the Green!"]
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman say why this Mr. Kelly was given a passport, on what grounds.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThere appeared to be no reason for the withdrawal of the passport of Mr. Kelly.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill it be withdrawn now?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI see no reason for that.
§ Colonel ASHLEYArising out of that last answer, if a Minister states that a person attends a meeting where disloyal songs are sung, surely the passport of His Majesty's Government ought not to be continued?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman should put a question of that nature down. It is hardly fair to spring it upon the Minister. Some of these supplementary questions are difficult to answer offhand.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREDoes not this incident show how necessary it is to keep a British representative at the Vatican to put our case against that of the Sinn Feiners? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no!"]