HC Deb 20 March 1890 vol 342 cc1243-4
MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now give the respective dates in August and September 1888 upon which the £10 note and the £5 note, which formed part of the remittance received from the late Richard Pigott by his housekeeper on the 23rd February, 1889, were drawn from the Bank by Mr. Soames, and the numbers of such notes; and whether he can ascertain and will state to whom MR. Soames paid such notes, and on what date or dates?

MR. MATTHEWS

I communicated to the House on February 21 all the information I have on this subject. I have no better means than the hon. Member himself of ascertaining at what dates a solicitor draws money from his hankers or pays it to his witnesses.

MR. COBB

May I ask whether any steps have been taken to trace the notes?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have not traced the notes.

MR. COBB

Have the police traced them?

MR. MATTHEWS

Not that I am aware of.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to make inquiry?

MR. MATTHEWS

I think this is a matter which it is not right for me to inquire into.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the police whether, in their investigations, they have discovered when Mr. Soames drew the money?

MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)

Certainly not.