HC Deb 25 July 1907 vol 179 cc149-51
MR WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention had been called to an issue of the Daily Graphic of 20th July, which gave a picture purporting to represent a very disgraceful outrage, in which the figures were said to be the actual men committing the outrage. Had he any knowledge of any such outrage having been committed in Ireland, and was there any means of identifiying the men vouched for by the newspaper; also was there any means of protecting a nation from slanderous and gross libels of such a kind which gave an entirely wrong impression of the state of the country?

MR. BIRRELL

I have seen the picture referred to, and, speaking as Chief Secretary, I must say it was in my judgment a scandalous production. Events take place in Ireland which legitimately give rise to regret, deserve condemnation, and justify anxiety. These events are often exaggerated and misreported, but this is perhaps inevitable. When it comes to publishing broadcast throughout the Empire pictorial illustrations of absolute inventions— and trying to pass them off as historical pictures of actual occurrences, for the purpose of inflaming the public mind, I feel sure all fair-minded men, irrespective of party, will agree in an unqualified condemnation of such procedure. Unfortunately, to libel a nation is an offence not known to the law, and I know of no protection against such libel but the expression of general disgust.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London)

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will do his best, as I believe he is in an influential position in the matter, to see that no libellous pictures on any subject are published?

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that this purports to be not a sketch, but a photograph, and that in the letterpress under the photograph these words occur: "It must not be supposed that our contributor watched the actual proceedings, but the men in this picture are the real moonlighters, who obligingly re-enacted their drama for the benefit to our photographer."

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

Is the Chief Secretary aware that the Daily Graphic advertised these productions in the following terms on placards in very large numbers throughout London: "Outrage and Intimidation in Ireland. Remarkable Photographs."

MR. BIRRELL

I have already expressed my opinion in the matter.