HC Deb 19 March 1888 vol 323 cc1618-9
MR. FIRTH (Dundee)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, passed by Captain Welch and Mr. Cecil Roche at Sixmilebridge on the 13th of March upon a London Home Rule Delegate of the name of Snelling; whether the offence of Snelling was that of inciting people to join the National League; whether he has any objection to lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the notes of Inspector Rainsford, or a transcript of the evidence on which Snelling was convicted; and, whether the Government intend to take any steps with a view to mitigating this sentence?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said: In answer to the hon. Gentleman I have to state that an appeal has been lodged in the case by Mr. Snelling; and therefore it would be obviously improper for me to make any statement in reference to the matter at present.

MR. FIRTH

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether this statement of facts in the Question is true? Is the statement as to what was done by that Court true?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I believe it is a fact that Mr. Snelling was sentenced to two terms of imprisonment—one of one month, and the other of six months.

MR. FIRTH

Was the sentence of six months imposed for inciting people to join the National League?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, it was impossible to answer the Question fully at present.