HC Deb 01 June 1905 vol 147 cc444-5
MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the medical certificates of chastity in the Anderson case were dealt with by the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary and retained in his office; and, if so, why these documents in the chain of evidence were not forwarded to the Under-Secretary, by whom the order for dismissal was signed.

MR. WALTER LONG

My hon. friend is under a misapprehension. The recommendation to dismiss was made by the Inspector-General on November 30th, 1903, and approved by the Under secretary on December 3rd; and orders on it were issued on December 4th. The medical certificate was not received by the Inspector-General until January 3rd, and it was forwarded to the Under-Secretary on January 22nd, who approved of the letter, dated January 23rd, which the Inspector-General addressed to Anderson's solicitor, declining to reopen the case.

MR. DILLON

Is it not the fact that after the medical certificates had been submitted, the Inspector-General wrote absolutely declining to reopen the case?

MR. WALTER LONG

I have said so.

MR. FLAVIN

Is there any medical certificate to show that the constable did not attempt a criminal assault on this woman?

[No Answer was returned.]