A "SCENE" IN 1916.
Showing the Development of Parliamentary Manners.
Mr. Asquith. I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether he will grant a full judicial enquiry into the recent military and naval movements contemplated by the Government in Munster.
Mr. Law (who was greeted by shouts of "Assassin"). I see no necessity for any such enquiry. I am prepared to answer for the Government on the floor of this House.
Mr. Lloyd George. May I ask the right honourable gentleman how many members of the Government are interested in armament companies, and to what extent they would have profited by the contemplated Tipperary pogrom? (Shouts of "Yah," "Thieves!" "Thieves!" "Brigands!" and "Yah!")
Mr. Law. I utterly and entirely repudiate the suggestion of the right honourable gentleman. (Opposition shouts of "Liar" and "Coward.") The information the right honourable gentleman has gained during his intrigues with the rank and file of the Welsh regiments is totally——
Mr. Speaker. Order, order. That reply obviously does not arise from the question.
Mr. Asquith. I wish to ask the right honourable gentleman if he is prepared to make a statement on oath. Nothing else will convince the country, as it knows by experience that Ministers are steeped in falsehood.
Mr. Law. That is an allegation against the honour of Ministers. (Mr. Churchill, "They have none.") If the Leader of the Opposition desires to attempt to substantiate these charges I will give him a day—or a week, if he wants it.
Mr. Swift MacNeill. Afraid of five years for perjury. Blackguards!
Mr. Amery (President of the Local Government Board). Mr. Speaker, should I be in order if I appealed to you to ask Members on the other side to maintain the honourable traditions of this House?
Mr. John Ward. All they care for is the £5,000 a year.
Mr. Speaker. Order, order! I must ask honourable members not to turn Question time into a debate.
Mr. Churchill. I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the guns of the first cruiser squadron are not at this moment trained on Limerick, and to ask him if ample time will be given for women and children to escape before the massacre begins?
Mr. Bonar Law. The first cruiser squadron is not at Limerick. (Loud shouts of "Liar!") That disposes of the second part of the question also. (Cries of "No!" "Shame!" "Child-murderer!")
Lord Winterton (Junior Lord of the Treasury). Mr. Speaker, may I draw your attention to the fact that several Members of the Opposition shout "Liar" at the Prime Minister whenever he rises to his feet?
Mr. Speaker. The term is certainly an objectionable one, but unfortunately there are Parliamentary precedents.
Mr. Raymond Asquith. Yes, that's what he used to call Papa.
Mr. Lloyd George. May I ask the Prime Minister if it is true that victims of the Celtic pogrom are to be refused treatment by their panel doctors?
Mr. Law. As there will be no victims (shouts of "Found out" and "Afraid") the question of medical treatment does not arise.
Mr. John Redmond. Enough of this foolery. Enough of the deliberate falsehood of Ministers. I go to Ireland at once, where half a million resolute, dour, determined men are ready to defy this Government of assassins.
(Loud Opposition cheers and waving of handkerchiefs, as Mr. Redmond retires from the House.)
