HC Deb 16 August 1883 vol 283 cc728-9
MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether any steps are being taken for the prosecution of the persons who arranged and carried out the dog fight which took place near Blackburn on Sunday week, the details of which have appeared in most of the public journals?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, the hon. Member will observe that in order to a prosecution it is necessary that there should be an offence and an offender; and, with reference to this particular Question, in order to proceedings being taken, it is necessary that there should be a dog fight. It is true, as the hon. Member says, that details have appeared in the public journals; but, as I have before observed to this House, these heartrending incidents are of a romantic character. They are really works of fiction, and a dog fight is a favourite subject. I have inquired into the case, and here is the telegraphic answer I received— Referring to your letter of the 15th, a dog fight near Blackburn was reported in the local newspapers on the 8th instant; but a careful police inquiry, in conjunction with the officer of the Royal Humane Society, does not confirm the report. I believe no such fight occurred. Several Questions in this House would be saved, and a waste of good sympathy avoided, if people would assume, when they read these stories, that they were not true.

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman apply the same rule to information about Ireland published in the English newspapers?

MR. HEALY

Especially with regard to Irish outrages?

MR. HARRINGTON

I beg to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, whether, in reference to the Irish Members, he does not act on information coming from American newspapers, which may be also fiction?

MR. O'BRIEN

I also wish to ask him, whether he assumes that every story of Irish crime in the English newspapers is not true?

[No replies.]