HC Deb 17 March 1881 vol 259 cc1247-8
MR. CALLAN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Criminal Investigation Department of the Home Office have given or can give any information if there is any foundation for a statement which appears in Tuesday's "Manchester Guardian," a usually well-informed journal, to the effect that— At the head-quarters of the Nihilistic fraternity in London, there was on Saturday evening an unusually large attendance, the fact of news of a great event being awaited, proving that the plot," to assassinate the Czar of Russia, "was perfectly well known in London; and, if the statement is correct, whether Her Majesty's Government will not consider it their duty to take prompt and effectual measures, if the existing Laws do not suffice, by immediate legislation, to strike terror into the Foreign conspirators who have made London their head-quarters?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, I have received no information to the effect referred to in the Question of the hon. Member.