§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the correspondence which passed between the late Prime Minister and the late Viceroy of Ireland with reference to the policy of devolution is in the possession of the Government and will be published; and, if not, whether he can take any steps in the interest of the public to obtain its publication.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsI have made inquiries and I cannot ascertain that the correspondence in question is in the possession of the Government. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that letters passing between Ministers are not usually of a character which calls for their preservation in the Government Departments. I confess I do not see what steps I can take in the circumstances to obtain its publication, if the late Prime Minister or Lord Dudley objects to that course being adopted.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Dudley, the late Viceroy, declared in a public letter the other day that he would be glad to publish the correspondence if he could get the permission of the late Prime Minister. In view of the importance of the whole truth about this matter being published, can the right hon. Gentleman suggest any means by which we can get that assent?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIt is not for me either to address myself directly to the late Prime Minister or to suggest to the hon. Member the best way of doing so. But I have no doubt the hon. Member's ingenuity will suggest some means to him.