§ MR. HEALYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that the person who recently fired at the Queen has been persistently described in the "Scotsman" and the "Glasgow Mail" as an Irishman, and is called "Patrick M'Lean;" and, if he can state what is the correct name and nationality of the accused?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, I do not know whether the hon. Member observed that on the night when I first stated to the House the fact of the outrage attempted on the Queen I was very careful to state the name and place of birth of the prisoner, for the express purpose of preventing any misapprehension or prejudice on this subject. I can give no other information than I gave then on the subject—namely, that the man's name, as far as I know, is Roderick M'Lean, and that he was born in London. As far as I know, there is no reason at all for supposing that he is of Irish extraction. I have a letter from the editor of The Scotsman in reference to the hon. Member's Question. He states 542 that the first day after the news arrived some remarks appeared in that paper, indicating that the prisoner was of Irish parentage; but they were careful to contradict this the next day, and to put the matter straight; and that, consequently, they are not liable to the charge of having persistently represented that the prisoner is an Irishman.
§ MR. CALLANI should like to know from the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether a similar contradiction has been given by the proprietor or responsible owner of The North British Mail, which published the following in double-leaded type:—
Attempt to assassinate the Queen—The prisoner an Irishman—The would-be Assassin sane and sober?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI really cannot state anything on that subject, for I have no knowledge of it.