§ MR. H. J. WILSON (York, W.R., Holmfirth)asked Mr. Attorney General Whether there is any foundation for the suggestion which has appeared in the public Press, in reference to an impending action against The Times, to the effect that the Government have placed at his disposal information respecting the Irish Members of this House which is in the possession of the Government?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)I have not seen, nor have I any knowledge of, any suggestion or statements which have appeared in the Press. The hon. Member must, I think, be aware that I should be guilty of gross breach of duty if I were, directly or indirectly, to answer this Question, or to make any statement respecting it from which any inference, direct or indirect, could be drawn.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)The Secretary of State for the Home Department is not under a similar obligation; and I would ask him if the Government have placed at the disposal of the Attorney General, for the purposes of a private action, any real or imaginary information?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I absolutely decline to give any information whatever,