HC Deb 20 February 1905 vol 141 cc610-1
MR. WILLIAM MOORE (Antrim, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if Sir Antony MacDonnell was aware before the preparation of the Dunraven proposals that for a Civil servant to take part in a political propaganda was a breach of rule; had Sir Antony, before doing so, informed any of his superiors in the Government of Ireland of his intention to do so; if so, ware the proposals so made with the previous knowledge, sanction, or approval of any of such superiors, or did Sir Antony act in the matter without any encouragement or approval and absolutely on his own initiative.

MR. WYNDHAM

(1) Yes, Sir, but the question of the extent to which Civil servants may assist their friends turns on whether the assistance given is for projects of which the Ministers, under whom they serve, approve. (2) Sir Antony MacDonnell had my full leave and approval to confer with Lord Duaraven. Owing to his misunderstanding of distinctions which are clear to me, though not to him, he assisted in the formulation of proposals to which I object. (3) He informed Lord Dudley of the nature of those proposals in the. belief that I would not be hostile to their public discussion.

MR. WILLIAM MOORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he objected at the time or afterwards?

MR. WYNDHAM

I objected the day I saw them.

MR. LONSDALE

asked whether, after the receipt of the reprimand by the Cabinet, and the formal severance of his connection with the movement, Sir Antony MacDonnell had not during the present year been present with the chairman and the secretary of the movement at a private meeting at which they discussed the principles and methods of devolution; and, if so, what steps would be taken by the Government?

MR. WYNDHAM

Sir Antony informs me that the suggestion in the second part of tills Question is totally without foundation.

MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

asked whether Sir Antony MacDonnell did not act with the knowledge and approval of Lord Dudley, and whether the terms of his appointment did not justify him in inquiring into the conditions of Irish Government.

MR. LONSDALE

asked whether Sir Antony MacDonnell was present at such a meeting as he had suggested.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

May I ask whether a detective has been placed to watch the movements of Sir Anton MacDonnell?

MR. WYNDHAM

I cannot answer all these supplementary Questions. It will be quite in order to criticise these matters on the Motion before the House, and I shall then be only too glad to deal with them.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman resign his office after the speech of Lord Lansdowne last Friday?

MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if, before the Second Reading of the Land Bill of 1903, Sir Antony MacDonnell had informed Lord Dunraven that he was in favour of the policy of extension of administrative powers in Ireland on lines corresponding to those produced in September, 1904, and known as the devolution proposals, and had he any authority to make such a statement from any person competent to give him such authority.

MR. WYNDHAM

I am informed by Sir Antony MacDonnell that he has no recollection of having made any such statement, and believes, as a matter of fact, that he did not make it.