HC Deb 11 March 1889 vol 333 c1371
MR. COX (Clare, E.)

, asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Cullinane, the informer, is till within the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Government; if not, on what date he left the country; from what source he obtained the money to take him out of the country; where he was last residing before he left; and whether the police authorities can furnish any information as to his present whereabouts?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I must decline to answer any questions of this character across the floor of the House with regard to the movements of informers. I have already told the House that I do not know where Cullinane is. If I did know I should not say.

MR. SEXTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the charge in this case is that Cullinane organized the commission of outrages which were charged against the National League before the Royal Commission and elsewhere; and, whether, as the right hon. Gentleman has promised facilities to all parties before the Commission, and has given facilities to the Times, by placing in the hands of an informer documents of State, he will give information as to when Cullinane left the country, where he went, and whether the money which enabled him to go was provided by his employers out of the public purse?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not propose to answer the highly argumentative question of the hon. Member. If information of that sort is desired from the Government, it should be applied for in the ordinary way.

MR. COX

What is the ordinary way?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

To write a letter to the Irish Government and sign it.