MR. O'BRIENasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, on the hearing of the action of "Bolton v. Irish National Publishing Company," at the Belfast Assizes, Mr. George Bolton admitted on cross-examination that he obtained letters for the purpose of his action from the file at the Castle on the order of the Under Secretary; whether any investigation has been held as to the circumstances under which a private litigant obtained access to the official file; and, whether, if Bolton's statement should prove true, steps will be taken to punish the persons culpable, in accordance with the pledge given last Session?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER), in reply, said, that Mr. Bolton had applied 776 formally to the Under Secretary that some letters which were his own property, and that he forwarded to the authorities, should be sent to him for the purposes of his trial. The application was laid before the Attorney General for Ireland, who advised he was entitled to them, and they were accordingly handed over to him on his undertaking to return.
MR. O'BRIENasked, would the hon. and learned Gentleman have any objection to state why, on a former occasion in that House, he said that the statement was untrue which he now admitted to be true?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)was understood to state that he never said it was untrue.
§ THE SOLICITOR GENREAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)I said he never had access to the file privately, and without authority.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!