§ MR. CHARLES DOUGLAS (Lanarkshire, N. W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether His Majesty's Government invited or received from Sir Antony MacDonnell any explanation or defence of his action before characterising it as indefensible.
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes, Sir, the Answer is in the affirmative; and the representations made by Sir Antony MacDonnell, before the Cabinet arrived at any decision, led us to decide that, while his conduct was not open to any imputation of disloyalty, it was impossible for the Government to defend assistance given to the formulation of views to which we are opposed.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Were these representations from Sir Antony MacDonnell in writing?
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, Sir.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDHave they been reduced to writing since?
§ MR. WYNDHAMA good many communications have passed between Sir Antony MacDonnell and myself, and all his representations have been laid by me before the Cabinet.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDI understand in writing. Then I have to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will produce these documents.
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, Sir.