HC Deb 31 May 1888 vol 326 c747
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, as Thomas Moroney, of Herbertstown, has now been imprisoned since the 21st of January, 1887, for "contempt of Court"—namely, for "refusing to be sworn," and his mental condition is described officially as "indifferent" (Return, No. 110), he will submit the case to the Lord Lieutenant, with a view to the exercise of Her Majesty's clemency?

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

As has been already explained in reply to previous Questions, Moroney was committed for refusing to be sworn in the Court of Bankruptcy in reference to certain moneys concealed by him. The Government have no power to interfere in the matter. It has always been, and is still, open to Moroney to obtain his immediate release from prison by submitting himself to be sworn.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

asked, if the right hon. Gentleman wished to convey to the House that he had no power to suggest to the Lord Lieutenant to exercise his clemency in the case?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, that was so.