§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inquiry has been ordered by the Government into the charges recently made in this House against Mr. George Sandes, J.P., Listowel, County Kerry; and, if so, where the inquiry is to be held, by whom it is to be made, and whether it is to be open to the public?
MR. A. J.BALFOURThe Executive Government have no power to order an inquiry in the case in question. The Magistracy are under the jurisdiction of the. Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who, as I have already stated in this House, has been in correspondence with the gentleman mentioned. As this question appears on this morning's Paper without previous notice, time has not admitted of my ascertaining how the matter at present stands.
§ MR. E. HARRINGTON) (Kerry, W.Has the right hon. Gentleman put himself in communication with the Lord Chancellor and conveyed to him the accusations which have been made in this House? I understand that there is an investigation going on.
§ MR A. J. BALFOURI apprehend that the Lord Chancellor is fully acquainted with all that takes place in this House.
§ MR E. HARRINGTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider it worth while to remind the Lord Chancellor of the affidavits which have been filed in this case? Is there any chance of a thorough investigation taking place?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have not the least doubt that the Lord Chancellor will order any inquiry that may be necessary.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWhy should it take two mouths before the Lord Chancellor thinks fit to take action? That has not been the course pursued in reference to charges against Members of the Nationalist Party.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. and learned Member seems to think that the more serious the accusation the more easily it can be disposed of. That is not the case.