§ MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any representations have been received at the Home Office from the State Department, United States, or from any other source, respecting the trial and conviction of J. Curtin Kent in April, 1883, for having conspired to use explosive materials; and, if so, has the Home Secretary investigated 634 the case for himself; and, if he has not, will he now investigate it by the light of any representations that may have been made to him?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; I am aware of the circumstances of this case. No communications from the State Department of the United States have been made on this matter to the Home Office. The Deputy Consul General of the United States applied in February, 1888, for permission to see the prisoner with reference to this case, and this was allowed. I shall be prepared to investigate any representations made to me on the case.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORI wish to ask whether any representations have been made to the Foreign Office on the subject, and whether the Home Secretary has had any representations made to him from another quarter—namely, from myself?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have received from the hon. Member private notice of this question. I have made inquiry at the Foreign Office, and have learned that they have reeceived no communication from the United States.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman investigate the matter in the light of the document which I have placed in his hands, and which came to me from America?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI will look at the document again.