§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that Mr. R. M. Peter, a Second Class Clerk in the Department of the Irish Land Commission, is a member of the Dudlin City and County Conservative Club, and of the Committee of Management of that Club, and has been associated with the institution in question in the public Press; whether the Commissioners are aware of this political capacity publicly assumed by Mr. Peter; what is the rule operating in Ireland with regard to political action on the part of persons engaged in the Civil Service; and, what action will be taken by the Commissioners in Mr. Peter's case? I find that this Question has been already answered; but I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the statement of the Land Commissioners, that they do not feel 1012 called upon to inquire into the political capacity assumed by an official, is endorsed by the Government, and if it is open to Civil servants to join political Clubs; whether it is also open to them to join political societies, as, for example, a society to promote the registration of voters?
§ MR. GIBSONI would ask whether Mr. Litton, of the Land Commission, is not himself a member of the Reform Club, and of the St. Stephen's Green Club in Dublin?
§ MR. TREVELYANI would say generally that I cannot imagine it would be convenient to any Party to have inquiry as to the action of Civil servants in joining political clubs.
MR. O'BRIENThen, Sir, is it to be understood that Government officials in Ireland are free to identify themselves actively with the National League?
§ MR. TREVELYANI must say that it is very inconvenient to have a Question answered one day asked in exactly the same terms the next. The Land Commissioners have stated, in a passage which the Irish Government cordially approve, that there is all the difference in the world between belonging to a political body and taking an active part in political demonstrations.