§ MR. WHALLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether communications and documents have been sent to him purporting to prove that Arthur Orton, now supposed to be a convict in Dartmoor, is in fact in New Zealand and willing and prepared to prove his identity if protected from arrest on charges alleged against him; and, if so, whether he will lay the same upon the Table of the House, or allow them to be inspected at the Home Office; and, whether he will state the objections, if any, to grant to such person freedom from arrest for the purpose aforesaid?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, I have nothing before me to lead me to suppose that Arthur Orton, whom I believe to be in custody in England, is now in New Zealand. I must, therefore, decline to grant to any person in New Zealand freedom from arrest on charges made against him in order that he may come 1381 to this Country for the purpose stated by the hon. Member.
§ MR. WHALLEYsubsequently begged to give Notice, owing to the sudden retirement of the right hon. Gentleman, that it would be necessary to ask on a future day, whether he would lay on the Table of the House or allow to be inspected at the Home Office the documents which purported to show that Arthur Orton, supposed to be a convict at Dartmoor, was now in New Zealand?