§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the proceedings of the Watch Committee of the Birmingham Corporation, reported in the Bir- 1708 mingham Daily Post, of the 15th of February instant, from which it appears that Alderman Manton asked that an opportunity should be given to him of making an affidavit that the statements made by him relating to the arrest and conviction of John Daly were true, and all opportunity of publicly questioning the Chief Constable of Police, Mr. Farndale, as to his (Mr. Farndale's) statement that the explosives found upon Daly were planted upon him by an agent of the Irish police; and whether, in view of the fact that this opportunity was not so afforded to Mr. Alderman Manton, he will order a fresh investigation into the serious allegations made against the police, and question Mr. Farndale upon the subject?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have referred to the report in question, and find that after some discussion Mr. Alderman Manton withdrew, for the present, the proposal which he had made to the Committee. So far as the matter is a personal one affecting Mr. Alderman Manton and Mr. Farndale, I have no title to interfere. So far as it affects the guilt or innocence of Daly, the allegations referred to have already been fully and closely investigated, with the result which I stated to the House the other night.
§ MR. W. REDMONDArising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him whether it is true that he stated in this House that he had personally investigated the case of John Daly, and whether he thinks that the investigation into that case can be complete without he has an interview with Mr. Farndale, and whether he will have au interview with that gentleman? I also wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will grant a fresh investigation into the case, in view of the fact that it is so widely desired by 80 Irish Members out of 103, and by the Irish people generally?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my having a personal interview with Mr. Farndale. I am in full possession of his statements, which do not appear to be based upon facts within his own knowledge, but upon information which has been given to him. I have given those statements the closest possible personal investigation.
§ MR. W. REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my supplemental question—namely, whether he will enter into a fresh investigation of the case because 80 Irish Members desire that he should do so? Is not the opinion of these 80 Irish Members worthy of some consideration?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have already stated that I have decided this case upon the facts. I have submitted those facts to the most careful investigation in my power, and unless new facts are brought forward I do not propose to re-open the inquiry.
§ MR. J. E. REDMOND (Waterford)The right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary has informed the House that he has investigated the allegations made by Mr. Farndale. In order to do so ought he not to have seen Mr. Farndale, and personally questioned him? I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think it would be wise, in view of the strong expression of opinion on the part of Irish Members, to institute a new investigation into the statement that the explosives were planted on Daly—a statement which remains uncontradicted to the day?
§ MR. ASQUITHI can only repeat what I have already said. I have given the case the most ample and full investigation in my power, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my re-opening this inquiry.
§ MR. J. E. REDMONDIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that on the proper item in Supply I will call attention to the question, and press upon the right hon. Gentleman the necessity for instituting a fresh investigation.