§ MR. MAURICE HEALYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, 1557 whether the official report of Mr. Lewin Hill's evidence before the Departmental Committee on the Post Office Establishment in its original form, and before correction by Mr. Hill, was similar in terms to the report given in the Postman's Gazette, so far as the passage reflecting on Irish candidates is concerned; whether a fresh transcript of the official notes could still be had; and, whether in cases of this kind there is any check on the alteration of their evidence by witnesses in the proof in a manner which ultimately makes the official record an incorrect report of the evidence actually given?
§ MR. HANBURYThe remarks referred to were no part of the official report. The passage inserted in a rough proof, contrary to Lord Tweedmouth's instructions, and struck out by the Secretary to the Committee, corresponded substantially with the report in the Postman's Gazette. A copy of the proof in question could doubtless be had, but it would be most unusual to call for a proof of evidence given before a Committee in the form in which the Chairman of the Committee had directed that it should not be given. The Secretary of a Committee of this kind, of course, exercises supervision as to what alterations are made by witnesses in the reports of their evidence. But as I have already stated, this particular alteration was made, not by the witness, but by the Chairman of the Committee.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALYwas understood to ask whether any rebuke had been addressed to Mr. Lewin Hill?
§ MR. HANBURYI am not aware of any.