HC Deb 26 April 1898 vol 56 c1228
MR. P. O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I desire to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if it is true, as reported in the evening papers, that the steamship Ireland, alleged to have been sold to the American Government, has been ordered not to leave the port of Kingstown?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I understand that the negotiations, if there ever were negotiations in connection with the Ireland, have broken down.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Is that any reason for ordering that she should not leave the port?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is an argument, not a Question.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Then, may I ask this Question: Has she been ordered not to leave the port? And may I further ask if the contract for her sale had been completed before the declaration of war, would her purchasers have been entitled to take her away?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

As I understand she has not been sold.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

I must ask the right honourable Gentleman has she been ordered not to leave the port?

MR. MACNEILL

Yes, or no? [Cries of "Order!"]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I have informed the honourable Gentleman, although I might, perhaps, have asked for notice of the Question, that, so far as my knowledge goes, the Ireland has not been sold, either to the Spanish or the American Government, and under those circumstances nobody has a right to order her not to leave, or to leave, the port.