HC Deb 28 November 1882 vol 275 cc230-2
MR. GOSCHEN

I wish to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he could give the House any additional information with respect to the deplorable occurrences in Dublin yesterday; whether any further arrests have been made; and, whether the Government would consider it necessary to take measures for the protection of jurymen in the exercise of their functions? I am sure it would interest the House to know whether any arrests have been made in connection with the occurrences that have taken place.

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I should like to ask whether the attention of the Government has been called to the language used by Michael Davitt in his speech at Navan, which language is of a most inflammatory character? At the meeting there were two Members of Parliament present—the hon. Members for Westmeath and for Meath; and I should like to know what steps the Government intend to take in this matter?

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

Mr. Speaker, I would ask you, Sir, as a matter of Order, whether the hon. and gallant Baronet has a right to use argumentative phrases, such as that "language was of a most inflammatory character," in place of submitting to the judgment of the House the exact words of which he complains?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Baronet appears to me to have applied an epithet that is open to controversy.

MR. TREVELYAN

With regard to the speech of Mr. Davitt, the questions of the action of the Irish Government with reference to speeches and articles are questions which involve very careful and long consideration, and afterwards communications, sometimes protracted, between Members of the Government. I answered the hon. and gallant Baronet yesterday that a speech, which had been made some time before that, was under consideration, and he was satisfied with the answer. I need not say with regard to Michael Davitt's speech, that it is yet under consideration, because Business has been so pressing during the last few days in the Irish Office in London, and in the Irish Office in Dublin, that nothing official has passed yet on the subject of that speech. With regard to the question whether any arrests have been made, I imagine that none have been made, because I telegraphed early in the day to have any information on that point sent to me, and because I have spent a considerable time with Mr. Jen-kinson—a very active officer—and he had not, up to that time, heard of any arrests. With regard to the Question of my right hon. Friend, that matter has certainly occupied the attention of the Government, and has occupied it very promptly; and communications of great importance with regard to the means of preserving the peace in Dublin have been passing to-day, and will probably bear some fruit. The only telegram of interest I have to communicate to the House is with relation to the condition of Mr. Field. Dr. Kaye, Assistant Secretary, says— I have seen the two medical men in attendance on Mr. Field, who was so badly wounded, and they both say he has had a more favourable night than could be expected; but his state is most critical. Then he goes on to give details as to the most dreadful wounds he received, and to make some remarks as to the nature of the attack upon him. I am not quite certain whether those details have got into the newspapers; and, if not, I am not quite certain whether I should be acting in the interests of protection from crime by communicating them to the House.

MR. CHAPLIN

Are the Government in a position to state how far they have reason to believe that the speech attributed to Mr. Davitt in this morning's papers has been correctly reported?

MR. TREVELYAN

There is a Question on that subject upon the Paper for to-morrow.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Were any Government reporters present?

MR. TREVELYAN

I shall be ready to answer that Question to-morrow. I can hardly be blamed for not having the information now.