§ MR. O'DOWDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Sir Horace Plunkett has joined a movement started with the object of making a presentation to Mr. Percy Bernard, who retired from h s candidature in South Dublin in order that the late Chief Secretary for Ireland should be returned for that constituency; and will he say if the action of Sir Horace Plunkett in joining a political movement is consistent with the terms on which he holds his present appointment.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce). Sir Horace Plunkett informs me that his action in the matter referred to in the Question was limited to subscribing to a presentation to Mr. Bernard, who had been a personal friend of his for over thirty years. He did not himself attach any political significance to his action, nor did it occur to him that anyone else would.