§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Secretary of State for War, Why the Army advertisement, which appears in The Leinster Express of October 11th, was not also given to The Leinster Leader, the former being the landlord organ and of very limited circulation, and the latter the popular organ circulating largely all over Leinster?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThere are very few counties in Ireland, I believe, in which the Government advertisements are sent to more than one paper. In the present case, The Leinster Express, established in 1831, has been a long time on the list of papers authorized to receive advertisements; and it is not deemed necessary to incur extra expense by sending the Government advertisements to The Leinster Leader, which was only established in 1880, and which circulates in the same district as the older paper. The Leinster Express has a good circulation, and is well filled with advertisements of various kinds, evidently showing that it circulates among all classes.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLIs The Leinster Express, can the noble Marquess say, one of those papers which "more or less support the Government?"
§ MR. HEALYIs the noble Marquess aware that the Secretary to the Treasury promised last Session, when a similar complaint was made, that those advertisements should be impartially given in future?
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORIs the noble Marquess aware, too, that the advertisement in question was an advertisement for recruits; that The Lienster Express circulates among no portion of the population likely to furnish recruits; 793 and that The Leinster Leader is much cheaper, and has a much more extensive circulation?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI cannot by silence admit that the advertisements have not been given impartially. There has been nothing to call my attention to the facts stated by the hon. Member; but I will have further inquiry made into the matter.