§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork Co., N.E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been drawn to the Resolutions signed by 31 Catholic Archbishops and Bishops in Ireland, enumerating
Certain most pressing grievances which, in the interests of public order as well as of justice, imperatively call for immediate legal redress;and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend to take any steps to give effect to these grave representations?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)My right hon. Friend desires me to answer this question. I have seen the Resolutions referred to in the public Press; and I need not say; that any representations coming from such a quarter deserve, in our opinion the most respectful attention of the Government. I am unable, however, within the compass of the answer to a Question to deal with the controversial topics raised by the Resolutions; and I shall endeavour to find some more adequate and convenient method of doing so.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give any practical effect whatever to these representations?
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURThe answer to that Question depends precisely upon those controversial considerations which I have already informed the hon. Gentleman I cannot deal with within the limits of an answer to a Question.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENPerhaps the First Lord of the Treasury will answer 890 another Question. Have the Government received any communications, direct or indirect, from the Vatican, or from His Holiness the Pope, with reference to Ireland; and, if so, whether any effect has been given to them?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am not aware that the Government have received any such communications as those to which the hon. Gentleman refers.