MINISTERS EXPLAIN THEIR CONDUCT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 144, 20 June 1913, Page 5

MINISTERS EXPLAIN THEIR CONDUCT.

UNIONIST ADVERSE MOTION,

[Press Association.] LONDON, June 18. The House of Commons was crowded when Mr G. Cave, Unionist Member for the Kingston division of Surrey, gave a quiet and judicial analysis of the Marconi transactions. He . said that he moved his amendment with reluctance, but it was necessary for the Opposition to state their views. There was no trace of per- . sonal corruption, but Sir Rufus Isaacs at one time made a profit of £5000, and other Ministers made £2200, out of Mr Godfrey Isaacs's confidential information. The reticence and concealment in October was unfair to the House. Viscount Hehnsley seconded the amendment. Sir Rufus Isaacs and Mr -Lloyd George followed. They were greeted with sympathetic Ministerial cheers, and left the House after making their explanations, in accordance with precedent. Sir Rufus Isaacs admitted that Ms action in the Octoher debate was a mistaken one, but he believed that the American , transactions had no direct relevancy. His mind was full ■of the indignity of the charges of cor- ■ ruption. Mr Godfrey Isaacs's offer j of the shares was only actuated by i fraternal motives. He now sincerely j felt that it was a mistake to purchase shares. Any blame rested with himself, and not with the Chancellor. Mr Lloyd George said that it would j Tiave been infinitely better if the j whole facts had been placed before the ( House in October, but he and Sir ( Rufus Isaacs decided that it was better to give the whole facts to the Marconi Committee* He would be deeply grieved if the House thought he was lacking in frankness. He now saw that the purchase of shares lent t itself to misconstruction' and miscon- . ception. j