A brief 1911 Hansard trawl, with Mormons, royal souvenirs and a gratuitous Hamlet refernce.

Always bearing in mind that the next president of the US might be a Mormon, this:

"Mr. HOUSTON asked the Home Secretary whether he has any official information showing that the German Government has expelled Mormon missionaries from any portion of German territory; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to expel and exclude Mormon missionaries from this country?
 
Mr. CHURCHILL  I have no official information on the point, but inquiries are being made through the Foreign Office. I am unable at present to make any statement as regards the second part of the question".

What is Mr Houston so scared of?

Mr. HOUSTON Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is public knowledge that the German Government did, six years ago, peremptorily expel Mormon missionaries from Germany on the grounds of their faith being against the interests of public morality; and is he aware that as late as last year the twelve apostles of Mormonism who went to Germany for purposes of propaganda were peremptorily expelled?

Mr. CHURCHILL  I have not yet made the inquiries which are necessary. I do not think there is any difference of opinion between us as to the character of this propaganda.

Not one of his nobler sentiments, I think.  I am all for a marketplace of ideas, including those of faith, and I have found that saying 'no thank you' to doorstop evangelists is quite effective.


Meanwhile, pit ponies:

"Mr. CHARLES BATHURST asked whether it is permissible, under the existing regulations of the Home Department for pit ponies to foe worked for two shifts of eight or nine hours out of the twenty-four; and, if not, what steps are taken to prevent this being done?

Mr. CHURCHILL There is no provision in the existing law as to the length of the shift for which animals may be worked; but it is the duty of the inspectors of mines to examine into the care and treatment of the animals used in a mine, and to report any cases of cruelty or neglect.

Hmm, doesn't sound too much fun being a pit pony.  It would be remiss of me not to throw in the 1984 urban legend from the miners' strike:  one town saw the young Tories collect for working miners, the young Socialists for striking miners and the young Social Democrats for pit ponies. 


What with another Saxe-Coburg-Gotha event approaching, this might be a soon to be repeated outrage:

"Captain BARING asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the sale of Coronation buttons as British, though made in the State of New Jersey, United States of America; what inquiry had been made into the matter; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Mr. BUXTON The allegation has been brought to my notice, but my informant stated at the same time that the sellers were believed to be acting in ignorance. If the hon. Member is in a position to furnish evidence that any firm are knowingly selling as British goods which were actually made in the United States, I shall be happy to consider it with a view to possible action".

Telling a hawk from a handsaw is one thing, but what of a ham from an oboe?

Mr. FIELD asked the President of the Local Government Board whether consignments of Chinese frozen pork have been landed at Douglas, Isle of Man, with the object of being transformed into bacon and ham; and whether he can state if carcases have been smuggled into Ireland under the guise of musical instruments?

Mr. BURNS  The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no knowledge of such proceedings as are suggested in the latter part of the question.