HC Deb 13 March 1905 vol 142 cc1214-6
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can state if H. J. Livingstone, late of Newry, absconded before, or if he absconded after, the issue of the warrant for his arrest.

MR. MACVEAGH

I beg also to ask Mr. Attorney-General for 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 such a course; and whether he can state what official or what member of the Government directed the Inspector-General not to execute the warrant.

MR. ATKINSON

Livingstone had, before the warrant issued, left his usual place of abode in Newry, and it is believed had succeeded in escaping from this kingdom. I have already informed the hon. Member that no direction was given relative to the execution in this country of the warrant against Livingstone. Livingstone had absconded before any direction was asked for, and the direction given had reference solely to the steps necessary to be taken to have him arrested abroad and brought back to this country. The charge made in general terms was one for which the accused person could not be prosecuted under the 24 & 25 Viet, c. 96 s. 80, without the sanction of the Attorney-General. Every effort was made to obtain evidence to sustain the charge, and as sufficient evidence was not forthcoming a direction was in the usual course given by the Irish Executive to the Inspector-General not to take any steps, which would necessarily have been futile, to have Livingstone arrested abroad. I decline to give a list of such cases, which are of frequent occurrence, and I also decline to state the names of the officials before whom the matter came, or by whom the directions were given.

MR. MACVEAGH

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman himself directed the Inspector-General with regard to this matter?

MR. ATKINSON

The hon. Member must understand nothing of the kind.

MR. MACVEAGH

Did Livingstone abscond before the warrant was issued?

MR. ATKINSON

He had left the place before the information was sworn on which the warrant was granted.

MR. MACVEAGH

Then on what authority did the right hon. Gentleman the other day make the misleading statement that he absconded after the warrant was issued. I press for an Answer.

MR. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman has declined to answer.

MR. MACVEAGH

No, he declined to give me a list of cases.

MR. ATKINSON

; I am not aware that the hon. Member's interpretation of my former Answer is the right one.

MR. MACVEAGH

Look at Hansard.

MR. ATKINSON

At any rate, I have now more precise information.