HC Deb 18 June 1888 vol 327 cc429-30
MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in the case of Thomas Barry, convicted on May 31st, at Castle Martyr, of conspiracy, and sentenced by Resident Magistrates Gardiner and Redmond to a month's imprisonment, any evidence was taken beyond the fact of his personal refusal to supply goods to a member of the Constabulary?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

It would seem that much additional evidence was taken. It was proved that a Boycotting conspiracy existed among several shopkeepers not to deal with the police, involving, as such conspiracies always do, mutual compulsion and coercion

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

My Question was rather more specific than that. I knew that several persons were tried at the same time; but my Question is, whether, in the case of the man I have mentioned, Thomas Barry, evidence was taken beyond the fact of his personal refusal to supply goods that he was implicated in the conspiracy?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes, Sir; evidence of conspiracy was given.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

In this case I hope the right hon. Gentleman will consent to lay the evidence on the Table.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That would be a very unusual course. [An hon. MEMBER: No, no!] The hon. Gentleman who said "No, no" cannot have had much Parliamentary experience; but it is a very unusual course to lay the evidence in such a case on the Table, and I could not give an answer in the affirmative without consideration.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Derby)

May I ask a Question with reference to this? I have read an account of the evidence in this case; and I cannot find there is any such evidence as that stated by the right hon. Gentleman in the printed account. I wish to know, will the right hon. Gentleman furnish from some other source the evidence to which he refers?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes; for the right hon. Gentleman's satisfaction, I believe I can supplement the printed account.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether or not it was sworn at the trial that Barry was a member of the conspiracy?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Well, Sir; I have stated what I believe to be the fact, that evidence as to Barry's participation in this conspiracy was given at the trial. I do not know that I can give a more specific reply either to the hon. Gentleman, or to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman opposite.