HC Deb 27 April 1888 vol 325 cc762-3
SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

I wish to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question in reference to the statement which appeared in The Standard this morning as to the powers of the Lord Lieutenant with regard to the additional sentences imposed on appeal in Ireland. It is stated that the Lord Lieutenant may, at his discretion, remit portion of the sentences; and, in consequence, a private intimation has been given that this power will be exercised if necessary. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is true that this private intimation has been given?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

Well, Sir, I demur to a good deal that is stated in the Question. I do not think it is clear that the sentences are additional. To begin with, the sentences were modified. They may have been made longer in term, but they have been made less onerous in character. Whether this means an increase or not I do not undertake to say; but certainly no private intimation has been made by me on the subject.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any private intimation had been given? He stated that no private intimation had been given by himself. Might I ask him whether any private intimation has been given by the Authorities at headquarters?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not know on what principle the hon. Gentleman thinks the Government of Ireland is carried on; but I suppose a private intimation sent by Authorities at headquarters means some private observations addressed by me to the Executive on the subject. There have been no such intimations by me, and nobody else, I presume, would have the right to make any.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that there has been no increase in the sentence on Mr. Blane, M.P., that that sentence was not increased on appeal?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That is a matter of opinion; I should say the sentence has been diminished, but it is entirely a matter of opinion. The facts are these:—The original sentence, I believe, was four months with hard labour, and the new sentence was six months, without hard labour. [An hon. MEMBER: With hard labour.] I believe it is without hard labour. I say that that is not an increase in the sentence.

MR. ROWNTREE (Scarborough)

Does the statement of the right hon. Gentleman apply to the case of the three men at Ennis?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not quite sure about the facts of that case; but if the hon. Gentleman wishes, I will try to find out.