HC Deb 18 April 1882 vol 268 cc874-5
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is intended to lay upon the Table the Correspondence with the United States Government respecting the detention of suspects in Ireland claiming American nationality; and, if so, when?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The Correspondence on the subject of the detention in Ireland of "suspects" of American nationality is being printed, and will be laid on the Table of the House; but I cannot yet say when.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked if the Government would produce at the same time the representations made last year?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, he thought Notice had better be given on the subject.

MR. SEXTON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whe- ther it is true, as reported in the public press, that certain persons imprisoned under the Irish Coercion Act, and claiming citizenship of the United States, have been offered their release on condition of leaving the United Kingdom, and have refused to accept release on this condition; and, whether, in view of this offer and refusal, the United States Ambassador in this Country has been instructed by his Government to demand that the men in question be either released or put on trial; and, if so, what the Government propose to do in the matter?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I think that the Question contained in the first paragraph should be addressed to the Irish Office. With regard to the second paragraph, it is the case that representations have been made by the United States Minister as to the "suspects" of American nationality, the nature of which representations will be seen when the Correspondence on the subject comes to be laid before the House.

MR. SEXTON

asked whether the American Government had been asked to undertake that the American "suspects," if released, would remain out of Ireland?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

It would be very inconvenient for me to make a statement on this matter that would necessarily be imperfect when the whole subject is not before the House.

MR. SEXTON

said, he would ask a further Question on the subject on Thursday next.