§ *SIR EDWARD CLARKEI avail myself of this opportunity to offer a word of personal explanation. I am very much concerned to hear that a reference made by myself this afternoon to a recent trial in Ireland might be interpreted as carrying a suggestion that there had been such conduct on the part of the Chief Secretary or those responsible for the proceedings as would interfere with the fairness and impartiality of that trial. Sir, I can assure the House that nothing was further from my mind than to make any such suggestion. I need not say that in my belief the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary is absolutely incapable of anything but the most courageous attempt to secure justice in any case in which he may be concerned, and I have no doubt that that may be said of all those who represented the Crown on that occasion. I should have been deeply distressed if even a few hours had intervened before I had the opportunity of making this explanation.
MR. JOHN MORLEYI, perhaps, may be allowed to thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for his explanation. I felt quite sure that he would make some such explanation to the House the moment he was placed in possession of the actual facts of the case. I am very much obliged to him.
§ House adjourned at Six o'clock.