§ MR. SEXTONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government will announce, before the visit of the Prince of Wales to Ireland, whether they intend to allow the Prevention of Crime (Ireland) Act to lapse, or mean to apply to Parliament to renew it; and, whether the occasion of the Royal visit will be signalised by the proclamation of an amnesty to political prisoners, and by the appointment of a Royal Commission to publicly inquire into the system of Dublin Castle rule, and especially into the cases of persons now enduring imprisonment or penal servitude as the result of judicial proceedings and Executive decisions impeached by Representatives of the Irish people in this House?
MR. GLADSTONEWith regard to the first part of the Question, I must reply that I have nothing to add to the answers which I have already given with respect to the Prevention of Crime Bill to Gentlemen who have put them from the other side, though not from the same quarter of the House. The visit of the Prince of Wales to Ireland is fixed upon; but I am not aware that the absolute date is fixed, or the plans determined upon in all particulars. With regard to the latter part of the 1611 Question, I hope the hon. Member will not think me disrespectful when I say that it is a matter of great importance and delicacy, and that it would be quite impossible to enter upon such matters in reply to a Question in the House.
§ MR. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to ask him whether, supposing that he is next week responsible for the direction of public affairs, he will allow us the privilege of assisting him to make up his mind upon the policy of continuing the Prevention of Crime Act by giving a day for the discussion of the Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee standing in the name of the junior Member for Cork (Mr. Deasy)?
MR. GLADSTONEBefore answering that Question I had, perhaps, better wait and see whether I continue to be responsible for the direction of public affairs.