HC Deb 22 March 1887 vol 312 c1150
MR. COLERIDGE (Sheffield, Attercliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, When the Report of Mr. Knipe will be in the hands of Members of the House; what is the cause of the delay in the printing; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will postpone bringing in any measures for coercive legislation in Ireland until the Members of this House have had an opportunity of studying its contents?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

(who replied) said, he had no knowledge of the facts of the case; but he understood the reason of the de-lay was that Mr. Knipe did not himself return the proof of the Report to the Secretary of the Commission until within the last day or two. It had now been received by Her Majesty's Government, and was laid on the Table of the House last night.

MR. COLERIDGE

said, the right hon. Gentleman had not answered the last part of the Question.

MR. W. H. SMITH

No; we are not in a position to do what is suggested.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

said, the newspapers had been furnished with a synopsis of the Report, although it had not been put into the hands of Members.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that was a matter which rested with Mr. Knipe. The Government was not responsible in any way for the newspapers obtaining a surreptitious knowledge of the documents.