HC Deb 03 August 1904 vol 139 cc724-5
MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Mayo, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the most material portions of the evidence given at the Court of inquiry on the charges against Constable Anderson in December, 1903, were suppressed in all the newspapers which reported the trial; and whether, seeing that it has been stated on behalf of the Government that this evidence is at the disposal of the public, he will agree to furnish a certified copy of the evidence.

The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper—

MR. DILLON

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table all official Papers and Correspondence connected with the case of Constable Anderson of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table of the House all official Papers and Correspondence connected with the case of Constable Anderson of the Royal Irish Constabulary, formerly stationed at Kiltimagh, county Mayo.

MR. WYNDHAM

My noble friend the Lord Chancellor of Ireland stated on the 12th July that a report of the evidence taken at the Court of inquiry appeared in the public Press. I stated on the following day that I was not prepared to lay Papers on the Table.

MR. MACVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the most material parts of the evidence were suppressed in the newspaper reports, so that the public had no opportunity of forming a proper judgment?

MR. WYNDHAM

I do not think that this House can rehearse the proceedings of the Courts of inquiry with any advantage.

MR. MACVEAGH

Has not the right hon. Gentleman rehearsed them without taking evidence?

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

And I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the matter will be further rehearsed this afternoon.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the newspaper reports themselves indicate that all the evidence is not given?

MR. WYNDHAM

That may be so, but it does not alter my opinion.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

rose.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The Question has been fully answered.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

But, Sir, it is absolutely essential we should have this evidence before us in order that we may properly discuss this matter.

*MR. SPEAKER

It has been asked for, and an Answer has been given.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two Lords-Lieutenant of Ireland have asked for exactly the same thing—Earls Cadogan and Spencer.

MR. WYNDHAM

I am not aware of that. I do not think they asked for the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

Is it not the fact that Lord Spencer stated in another place that there was a precedent for the production of documents of this kind?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!