HC Deb 11 August 1882 vol 273 cc1529-31
MR. JOSEPH COWEN

wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a Question; but, as he was not in his place, perhaps he might ask the Home Secretary to answer it. It appeared that Mr. George had been re-arrested, and that that had taken place because instructions were given to the police to arrest him. He wished to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether, as these re-arrests caused great inconvenience, it would not be possible for the Irish Government to issue some kind of passport, so that strangers wishing to travel in Ireland might have an opportunity of doing so without having to risk the indignities to which Mr. George had been subjected?

MR. O'DONNELL

asked whether the Government was aware that in similar cases passports had been issued by the late Government of Naples and by the present Government of Russia?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, he had no information at all on the subject of Mr. George's re-arrest beyond that which he saw in the newspapers. His right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland had gone to Ireland, and that was the reason why he was not in the House.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

said, the right hon. and learned Gentleman seemed to treat the question with indifference; but could the Government give them some reasonable assurance that innocent persons travelling in Ireland would not be subjected to these indignities?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I can assure the hon. Member I did not wish to treat this question with indifference. I was only able to say that I had no information. I am certain that as soon as the Chief Secretary arrives in Ireland he will address himself to the subject, and will see that every precaution is taken to prevent inconvenience being occasioned.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the fact that Michael O'Connor, a distinguished citizen of California, was arrested in Ireland a few weeks ago, when he was simply visiting his native place? He also asked whether it was not the case that, when the Prevention of Crime Bill was passing through the House, the right hon. Gentleman gave the assurance that the Government of Ireland would make every effort that this power of interfering with aliens should not be abused, so that persons visiting Ireland on pleasure or business should not be embarrassed; and whether the arrests of Mr. O'Connor and Mr. George were in accordance with that pledge?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, he entirely recognized the undertaking which the Government gave as to arrests, and which they were bound to give. He was quite sure that the Government in Ireland would do all in their power to fulfil that undertaking. He could not answer, however, as to these particular arrests, because he had no information respecting them; but he was quite certain that if the Government of Ireland were of opinion that these arrests should not have been made and were owing to carelessness, they would take measures to prevent anything of the kind occurring in the future.

MR. HEALY

asked if there would be any Representative of the Irish Government in the House to answer the Questions relating to Ireland during the remainder of the Sitting previous to the Adjournment?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that the absence of his right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland was perfectly accidental. He would be in his place shortly; but, if not, some Member of the Government would be prepared to answer the Questions.