HC Deb 19 June 1882 vol 270 cc1596-7
MR. G. W. ELLIOT

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If Mr. Yates Thompson ever visited Kilmainham Prison during the incarceration of the suspects either in his own or an assumed name; and, if so, was he in any way in communication with the Member for Cork or any of the other suspects, and on what dates? He said it had been his intention to withdraw the Question, as he had been credibly informed that the gentleman referred to had nothing to do with the matter. It was, however, only just and courteous to the gentleman that he (Mr. Elliot) should put the Question to the right hon. Gentleman, in order that he might give it an explicit and official denial, as he (Mr. Elliot) understood he desired to do.

MR. TREVELYAN

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. It is very handsome of him to accede to my desire. Mr. Yates Thompson is one of the oldest friends I have in the world, and I am anxious to read a few lines from the following letter, which I have received from him, dated June 16:— Dear Trevelyan.—I see in The Times that you are to be questioned again this afternoon about my famous visit to Kilmainham. I should be much obliged if you would say in your answer that you have my authority for stating that I have not been in Ireland for the last 18 months, nor had any communication, verbal or otherwise, with any members of the Land League, or the Member for the City of Cork.