HC Deb 28 July 1908 vol 193 c1240
MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that recently an extract from a Treasury Minute of 1875, against the divulging of official information, was circulated amongst the officials of the Department; and whether this was done by his authority; and, if so, will he say to what cause the revival of this Minute was due.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (MR. CHERRY,for Mr. T. W. RUSSELL) Liverpool, Exchange,

The Minute referred to was circulated by my right hon. friend's special directions for reasons which appeared to him to render that course desirable. In my right hon. friend's opinion, the present Question, illustrates the necessity for the adoption of that course.

MR. DELANY

Does the right hon. Gentleman hold that an M.P. should not hare access to a Department which spends so much of the taxpayer's money?

MR. CHERRY

The objection is to the start' of the Department giving confidential information.