§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state under what statute the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary was empowered to forbid the execution of the warrant issued by a resident magistrate in public Court, for the arrest of H. J. Livingstone, of Newry; whether he can state the precedents, if any, for suck a course; whether Fearon's solicitor was consulted as to the evidence available against Livingstone: and, if so, by whom and with what result; whether any private representations were made to any official in Dublin Castle as to the advisability of preventing the warrant from being enforced; and whether the whole question will now be reconsidered.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe facts are not accurately stated in the Question. I have already informed the hon. Member that when inquiries were made to determine whether steps should be taken to obtain the extradition of the accused, if found in America, or his re-arrest and deportation to this country under the Fugitive Offenders Act, if found in Canada, it was ascertained that there was no available 936 evidence to sustain the general charge made on the information of Fearon on which this warrant was granted in Ireland. Under such circumstances, it would be futile and improper and contrary to the practice to attempt to take action in the matter, and the Inspector-General was directed accordingly. The course taken was the usual and proper course, and precedents frequently occur. It was Fearon's duty, when asked, to supply the evidence, which he failed to do. The district inspector consulted Fearon's solicitor and informed him of the nature of the evidence required before the Crown could take action. There is no foundation for the insinuation contained in the latter part of the Question. Of course, if sufficient evidence be at any time supplied action will be taken by the police.
§ MR. MACVEAGHIs it not the fact that this man is still in Toronto, and that the Chief Constable of the city has provided the Government with his address?
§ MR. ATKINSONHe is supposed to be somewhere in Canada, but we have no definite information.
§ MR. KILBRIDEHe is on the railway there.
§ MR. ATKINSONHe cannot be arrested unless we have sufficient evidence.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWhy was he not arrested before he went there?
§ MR. ATKINSONHe absconded before the issue of the warrant.
§ MR. MACVEAGHBut——
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! If Questions are to be treated in this way it will be impossible for other Members to ask their Questions within the time limit.
§ MR. MACVEAGHOn a point of order, Sir, I want to submit the right hon. Gentleman has utterly reversed the Answer he gave the day before yesterday.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat is not a point of order. It is not in order now to 937 discuss whether Answers to Questions are consistent with previous Answers.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWhat I want to do——
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, Order! I call on Mr. Kilbride——
§ MR. MACVEAGHI want to inquire——
§ *MR. SPEAKERI hope the Member will submit to my ruling.
§ MR. MACVEAGHBut the right hon. Gentleman has given contradictory Answers.