§ 45. Mr. LORIMERasked the Prime Minister if he will give the names of any employers of labour in South Derbyshire who have had petitions against the removal of the McKenna Duties signed under duress?
48. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement on 13th May that the Government had proof that the petitions signed by various bodies of workmen against the abolition of the motor-car duties had been signed under duress, he will arrange for the evidence in the Government's possession to be published?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI have been asked to answer these questions. The answer to both questions is in the negative.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLECan the right hon. Gentleman give the names of any firms whose workers have actually signed under the circumstances stated?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI have already said that we do not propose to give the names of any workmen who have written to us explaining the conditions under which these petitions were signed.
Sir F. HALLIn my question I ask whether the Government have proof, and the right hon. Gentleman has said that "the reply is in the negative." If the Government have no proof, they have no right to make the statements that have been made to the House of Commons.
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman asks whether we will arrange for the evidence to be published, and my reply is, "No."
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYHad the right hon. Gentleman one single case when he made the statement the other day, and is this part of his raging propaganda against the McKenna Duties?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI may say that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham (Mr. A. Chamberlain) was questioned at a public meeting last Friday and—according to the newspaper report—expressed some doubt as to the genuineness of one particular case to which I referred, and asked me to give particulars of the case. I have seen the right hon. Gentleman and have offered to put before him confidentially particulars of the case.