HC Deb 23 May 1881 vol 261 cc1080-2
MR. CALLAN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it was a fact that since the issue of the Circular, which was published in the "Freeman's Journal" on Saturday, the arrests of persons "reasonably suspected" by the police had not more than doubled in number?

MR. PARNELL

wished to ask the Chief Secretary a Question of which he gave him Notice earlier in the evening—namely, Whether his attention has been directed to a paragraph in the "Freeman's Journal" of Saturday, which has been published in several London journals of this morning, purporting to be the text of a Circular alleged to have been issued by the Inspector General of the Irish Constabulary, regretting that the police have been unable, in a great majority of instances, either to give grounds of "reasonable suspicion" of the perpetrators of the outrages, or of those who instigated them? He wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether such a Circular has been issued; whether the "Freeman" correctly reproduced it; and, if so, whether it was issued with the knowledge and sanction of the Irish Executive?

MR. M'COAN

also asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland a Question of which he had given private Notice.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I understand the Question put by the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell) to be the same as that put by the hon. Member for Wicklow (Mr. M'Coan). I can state that the confidential Circular which I have seen in The Freeman's Journal of yesterday is, so far as I have been able to compare it, authentic, and has been issued with the knowledge and approval of the Executive Government, and, I may State, of myself. As regards the Question of the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Callan), I shall be ready tomorrow to give the reasons why that Circular was issued.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

With reference to that observation, I wish to know whether it is understood that there is to be a Morning Sitting tomorrow?

MR. GLADSTONE

Yes, Sir.

MR. CALLAN

wished to ask whether the following portion of the Circular had the full approval of the Chief Secretary when it was issued:— This document is not to leave the hands of the County Inspector, and must be kept under lock and key, and any orders to insure its being carried out must be communicated verbally to the sub-inspectors, head, or other constables as emanating from the County Inspectors themselves. He wished to know whether Her Majesty's Government gave instructions that deliberate misrepresentations should be made? [Cries of "Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is passing beyond the limits of a Question.

MR. CALLAN

If it will be necessary for me, in face of such a grave scandal, I will move the adjournment of the House. I do not wish to do so; but I wish to say unless the Chief Secretary gives explanations, and unless the explanations—

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is now using language menacing the House.

MR. CALLAN

If I am in fault, it was not my intention to be so; and I hope, under the circumstances, I shall be excused. The Question I have to ask the Chief Secretary is, Whether this Circular was issued with his full knowledge and sanction; and if it was intended that a misrepresentation should be conveyed by the County Inspectors to the sub-inspectors, head, and other constables, as emanating from themselves?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has not concluded with a Motion, and has, therefore, been guilty of an irregularity.

MR. CALLAN

I said that unless the Question was answered, I would move the adjournment of the House.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, I wish to say that I understood the Question of the last hon. Member to refer to the Circular itself. I believe that it is exactly and fully authentic. I approved of it; and I will, at the proper time, give my reasons for it. As to the paragraph which has been read, I shall be prepared to-morrow to state everything I know in regard to it. I cannot, at the present moment, say more than that; but I will give a full explanation tomorrow.

MR. CALLAN

Sir, to put myself in Order, I will conclude with a Motion. I must express my regret that a Minister of the Crown has not, at the earliest moment, availed himself of the opportunity of repudiating any knowledge of the Circular. I beg to move the adjournment of the House.

[The Motion not being seconded, was not put.]