HC Deb 18 February 1884 vol 284 cc1179-80
COLONEL KING-HARMAN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that Doctor George Sigerson, of Dublin, is the writer of many articles of a seditious nature in The Irishman newspaper, and is believed to have acted as sub-editor of that paper during the imprisonment of Mr. Pigott; and, whether that gentleman has been appointed to a position of trust and influence by Her Majesty's Government?

DR. LYONS

asked whether Dr. G. Sigerson was not the same gentleman whose researches into the physical condition of the atmosphere had been described as a work of great authority in Parkes's History of Hygiene; and, whether for the hon. and gallant Member not to know Dr. Sigerson was not an argument that he himself was unknown?

MR. HEALY

asked if the same Dr. Sigerson was not a member of the Mansion House Relief Committee, of which the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel King-Harman) was also a member; whether he had been engaged at the request of the Committee in inquiring into the fever districts of the West of Ireland; and, whether a unanimous vote of thanks had been passed to him by the hon. and gallant Gentleman's colleagues?

MR. TREVELYAN

Dr. Sigerson has informed me that he neither is nor has he been for a considerable time a contributor to any newspaper. He denies that he has been the writer of articles of a seditious nature, and states that he was not sub-editor of The Irishman newspaper during the imprisonment of Mr. Pigott, an event which happened 17 years ago. Dr. Sigerson is a member of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the administration of prisons in Ireland, of which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South-West Lancashire (Sir R. Assheton Cross) is Chairman. That is the only position he holds in connection with the Government; and I may say that both his position in the Medical Profession, and the special attention he has given to hospitals and matters connected with the public health, amply justify his appointment to that post.

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

asked the right hon. Gentleman if it was not a fact that up to a more recent time than the imprisonment of Mr. Pigott, the hon. and gallant Member who had put this Question (Colonel King-Harman') was not a Member of the Home Rule League?

[No reply was given.]