HC Deb 04 April 1882 vol 268 cc674-5
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government, by the Government of the United States, relative to the detention in Ireland of suspects of American nationality; and, whether any answers have been received from the United States Government to the representations made to the Government of the United States, as described on the 20th of June 1881 by him, as to the incitements carried on in that country to outrages in England; and, if so, whether such answers can be laid upon the Table?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government by the American Government in relation to certain subjects of the United States now detained in Ireland among the "suspects." Those communications are in progress, and I am not in a position to give any account of their purport or issue at the present moment. In regard to the second part of the Question, I have to say that communications were made last year in respect to a particular description of literature in circulation in the United States; but no answer has been received from the American Government on the subject.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he could state, for the information of the House, how many of the "suspects" in Ireland claimed American nationality?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have no exact information on this subject, but my impression is that the number is very small indeed. [Mr. HEALY: Four.] I was going to say either four or six.