HC Deb 01 December 1882 vol 275 cc481-3
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a Government shorthand-writer was present during the proceedings of the public meeting held on Sunday last, at St. Mullin's, county Carlow; whether the Irish Government have been supplied with an official shorthand-writer's note of the speech delivered at the meeting in question by the honourable Member for Wexford; whether, considering that he did not know yesterday whether there was any official shorthand-writer's note of the speech in question in existence, he will now state upon what evidence he arrived at the decision communicated to the House with respect to the speech of the honourable Member for Wexford; whether it has been decided that in case a person who gives bail to be of the peace and of good behaviour, is found, during the existence of the recognisances in force, out of his usual place of abode after nightfall, his bails may be estreated; whether bails have been recently estreated in Ireland under the circumstances stated; and, whether, if bail were given by the honourable Member for Wexford and Mr. Michael Davitt, they would be held liable to have their securities estreated in case they were found absent after nightfall from their usual places of abode?

MR. TREVELYAN

No Government shorthand writer was present at the meeting at St. Mullin's, County Carlow, on Sunday last. A constable was present who took notes; and the Government are of opinion that they are in possession of sufficient evidence taken on the spot to sustain the proceedings that have been directed. With regard to the remainder of the Question, it must depend entirely on the circumstances under which a person bound to good behaviour is found out after nightfall, whether or not a breach of the recognizance has taken place. There is no record in the Constabulary Office of any instance of bails having been estreated on the ground of a proceeding under the 11th section.

MR. WARTON

gave Notice that on Monday next he would ask the Attorney General for Ireland, what steps he intended to take to secure the good behaviour of Mr. Davitt and Mr. Healy in accordance with what had been said, by the Chief Secretary for Ireland on the 30th of November?

MR. PARNELL

I wish to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman under what Statute the proposed proceedings are to be taken against Mr. Healy and Mr. Davitt?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

The hon. Gentleman will be informed of this when the proceedings are instituted.

MR. PARNELL

I beg to say that, in view of the very extraordinary answer that has just been given by the right hon. and learned Gentleman to a most proper Question, I will repeat that Question on the next day upon which the House sits.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

By that time I shall probably be able to say that the proceedings have been instituted.

MR. PARNELL

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman unable to say now under what Statute it is intended to proceed?

THE ATTORNEY GENEEAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

I am, Sir. I have it under consideration. There are two Statutes.