HC Deb 24 March 1890 vol 342 cc1670-1
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the following passage in a telegram from Kirby, an agent of the Times in America, to Mr. Soames, the Solicitor of the Times— If you want me to take him (Mr. P. J. Sheridan) over you must amend your evidence in Court after reading my report as to his refusing to accept any sum to go over, to make his life more safe here; Whether he is aware that Mr. Soames had already given evidence before the Special Commission in regard to his relations with Kirby, and Kirby's relations with Sheridan in regard to moneys to be paid under certain eventualities to Sheridan; and whether, in view of the fact that the words above cited appear to amount to a suggestion from one of the agents of the Times to the Solicitor of the Times, that the latter should make a false statement on oath before the Special Commission, the Public Prosecutor intends to take any action in the matter?

MR. MATTHEWS

My attention has been called to the extract from the telegram in question by the speech of the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin on the 4th inst. Without seeing the "report" alluded to, and the communication to which Kirby was replying, it is difficult to say what he refers to; but I do not, from that extract, either by itself or in connection with any evidence of Mr. Soames's, draw the inference that Mr. Kirby suggested to Mr. Soames that he should make a false statement upon oath, and I do not see anything in the facts, so far as I know them, on which the Public Prosecutor could take action.

MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

Have the police obtained the information as to Mr. Soames having drawn the £10 and £5 notes from the Bank in August and September, 1888; and have the police also obtained information as to when and to whom Mr. Soames paid away the two notes?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am informed that the police obtained the information that the notes in question were paid out on Mr. Soames's cheques, but they did not obtain information as to when or to whom Mr. Soames paid away the two notes.