HC Deb 11 February 1902 vol 102 c1000
MR. SHEEHAN (Cork Co., Mid.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he will lay upon the Table the three last Reports of the Privy Council Judicial Committee meetings held to consider appeals against Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts.

MR. WYNDHAM

The effect of the Reports made by the Judicial Committee to the Lord Lieutenant is shown in the Orders in Council, which are published from time to time in the Dublin Gazette. The Reports themselves are confidential documents and cannot be laid upon the Table.

MR. SHEEHAN

What objection can there be to publishing the evidence on which the decisions are based?

MR. WYNDHAM

Expense, for one thing. It would involve the printing of some 500 folios of notes, and I do not see that any useful purpose would be served thereby. The inquiries are always open to the public.

MR. SHEEHAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of publishing the judgment?

MR. WYNDHAM

The decision come to is published.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these discussions as a rule give very great dissatisfaction?

[No answer was returned.]