HC Deb 09 November 1888 vol 330 cc761-2
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will lay upon the Table a Return giving the names of any Divisional or Resident Magistrates, Officers of Constabulary, or any other public servants in Ireland, who have been absent from their duties, and at the service of The Times newspaper in the action "O'Donnell v. Walter," or in the proceedings before the Commission now sitting, and also showing the duration of their absence from duty.

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

I presume the hon. Member refers to the Irish Officials subpœnaed by The Times. It would be highly improper while the Commission is sitting, and useless at any time, to lay a Return on the Table of the House of the kind proposed.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

Have any officials of the same class been in attendance as witnesses for The Times who have not been subpœnaed?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir.