HC Deb 12 March 1885 vol 295 cc846-7
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the language used by Dr. Hall, the medical officer of Monaghan Workhouse, reported in The Monaghan Standard of 7th February; whether this official, presiding over an Orange Lodge, is reported to have said— Some of them perhaps had read Parnell's utterances a few days ago in county Clare. He said, 'You are the descendants of the men whom Cromwell sent to hell or Connaught. He only succeeded in sending you as far as Connaught.' He (Dr. Hall) considered it was a pity they did not get sent a little further; whether any repudiation by Dr. Hall of the sentiments attributed to him has appeared; and, if the use of such language by public officials is to be tolerated?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I have seen a letter from Dr. Hall, in which he explains that the language he used is not quite accurately represented in the newspaper report quoted in the Question. He states that his words did not point to the extreme alternative suggested, but that what he intended to convey was an expression of his opinion that it would have been for the good of the country if those who sympathized with the projects of the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell) had gone across the Atlantic. Dr. Hall is not a public officer in the sense that his whole time is at the disposal of the public; and I do not think the incident calls for any action on the part of the Government.

MR. HEALY

asked whether Dr. Hall did not allow a month to pass before he contradicted the report?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said, he had no information on the point.