§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there are now any Royal Irish Constabulary or Dublin policemen or officers in London on subpœna from the Times; and whether any will be allowed to return to London until they shall be wanted for examination?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am informed that there are no members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and no officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary in attendance in London. There are, I am informed, three members of the Constabulary in London who have been subpœnaed by the Times. A letter has been addressed by the police authorities to the solicitor for the Times requesting him to state the necessity for the purposes of the Special Commission of the continued attendance of these witnesses, and the matter will be considered on receipt of his reply. The Government are anxious, in the interests of the Irish administration, that as few members of the Constabulary should be withdrawn from duty as possible; but they certainly would not take upon themselves the responsibility of declining to allow members of the force to attend in London if they thought their services were required for the purposes of the Commission.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWhy, if the Irish authorities can dispense with these men, are the Irish Police Forces not considerably reduced?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have already explained that it is a source of inconvenience to the Irish Government; and, as to the reason these men are detained here, I am not aware what it is. As I have told the hon. and learned Member, the solicitor of the Times has been asked whether there is a real necessity for their remaining in London.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe Commission adjourned for a fortnight, but three members of the Irish Constabulary remain in London. Will the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to tell us whether he has got their rank, and where they are stationed?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.
§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a communication has been sent to Mr. Soames by the police authorities asking that these officers should be sent back?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot answer that question.
MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether District Inspector Seddall has been recently in London in the interests of the Times, and can he state the date of his arrival and departure; whether he was in daily attendance at the Commission Court; whether he was examined before the Commission; and, if not, can he inform the House what this officer was doing during his stay in London?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI am informed that District Inspector Seddall has not been recently in London. He attended early in the proceedings on subpœna to give evidence if required. He was not in daily attendance at the court, as he was informed that he would receive notice of examination. He was subsequently recalled for duty in Ireland, without having been called upon for examination. His sole business in London was attendance in obedience to the subpœna as a possible witness.