HC Deb 03 July 1905 vol 148 cc780-2
MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether, with a view to affording relief to debenture-holders in the Edgeworthstown Loan Fund Society who lost their lives' savings Owing to the fraudulent conduct of the clerk, he intends passing a Loans Fund Bill this year.

MR. ATKINSON

I am most anxious that this Bill should be passed, and cannot understand why it should be opposed. I have every hope that it will be passed, and would ask the hon. Member to endeavour to help the Government to that end.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Party considered this Bill most carefully last year and this year and formulated certain Amendments which in their opinion were necessary; is not the delay in passing due to the fact that the Government will not grant time for its discussion, and are we expected to allow it to pass sub silentio?

MR. ATKINSON

replied that soma Amendments were submitted but he was unable to approve them. He had since understood that other Amendments in a modified form were to be submitted.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Since we submitted our Amendments no communication whatever has been received from the Government.

MR. ATKINSON

said that was not his fault.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

said he submitted the Amendments on behalf of the Irish Party to the present Chief Secretary, and got in reply a very curt refusal to accept them.

MR. ATKINSON

The original Amendments were unacceptable and we expeeted further Amendments would be submitted.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

But no further communication passed with us at all.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.

I take it the hon. Gentleman refers to a communication made to me shortly after I accepted my present offiee.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Yes.

MR. WALTER LONG

I do not think it is correct to say I curtly refused the Amendments. What I did was to suggest that they went somewhat beyond the scope of the Bill.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

There have been no further communications between the Government and myself.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bill as now drafted does not cover the case I have called attention to in the Question at all—a case in which people lost everything through the default of the Board in Dublin in absolutely winking at the falsification of returns.

MR. ATKINSON

That point is not raised by the Question.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

I have over and over again put the case before the right hon. Gentleman.

MR. ATKINSON

If the hon. Member wishes to make the Exchequer pay debts for people who will not or cannot pay themselves I refuse to support him.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

I wish to get the right hon. Gentleman to admit the-responsibility of the Government in this, case, as I believe it to exist.