§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Treasurer, Whether it is contemplated to present a Supplementary Estimate in respect to the expenses of the Royal Commission now sitting to inquire into the allegations of The Times against certain Members of the House and others; and, if not, how the expenses which have been, and are being, incurred are to be met; whether any sum of money from the "Secret Service" is, or has been, expended in aiding The Times, directly or indirectly, to secure witnesses or other evidence; whether any money expended (if so expended) in procuring or in arranging evidence for The Times will be carried to the current expenditure of the year; and, if so, under what head it will appear in the Estimates; and, whether The Times, or those representing The Times, have had access to any sources of information in the possession of the Government, but not in possession of the House, and not accessible to the Members accused, or to their representatives?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The hon. Gentleman asks me four Questions. With regard to the first, a Supplementary Estimate will, if necessary, be presented at the commencement of the next Session of Parliament, to meet the expenses of the Royal Commission referred to. Pending the presentation of that Estimate, the expenses will be, and are, defrayed in the ordinary course from the Temporary Commission Vote, Sub-head K, "Commissions not specifically provided for." As to the second and third Questions, no sum has been expended from the Secret Service Vote in aiding The Times, directly or indirectly, to secure witnesses or other evidence. I will state to the House what the attitude of the Government is with regard to the last part of the Question. An application was made to the Irish Government on behalf of The Times for access to specific sources of 909 information and for specific information, and this application was granted, unless where, in the opinion of the Law Officers, the information sought was privileged from disclosure in the interests of the Public Service. Where a similar application was made on behalf of the other side the same course was followed. The Government propose to act to all parties in the spirit of a letter written by the Chief Secretary for Ireland to Messrs. Lewis and Lewis on the 7th instant, an extract from which is as follows:—
I shall have great pleasure in allowing you to see, and, as far as you think desirable, to copy, any transcripts of speeches in the possession of the Irish Government which you may apply for; and shall, further, be glad to give you any information, not of a confidential character, upon any specific point respecting which you may ask for it in the interest of those you represent.That is the attitude of the Government to both the parties interested.
§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)Arising out of this Question, I would ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will inquire into the allegations of a certain newspaper, that Mr. Justice A. L. Smith is a landlord in County Tyrone, Ireland, whose rents had been largely reduced by the Land Court; and, if so informed, whether the Government will take means to have him relieved from his duties on the Commission now sitting?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder! order!
§ [No reply.]