§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Irish Government has been drawn to the detailed statement which appeared recently in a certain London newspaper to the effect that the police authorities, in their investigation into the loss of the Dublin Crown jewels, discovered the existence of a most grave and criminal scandal affecting a number of officials of Dublin Castle; and whether the Government will order a full and public inquiry into the whole matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am glad the hon. Member has asked this Question. The statements that have appeared in certain London newspapers are a parcel of lies of a particularly cruel and offensive kind. No grave or criminal scandal affecting officials in Dublin Castle has been discovered. No person or persons are being shielded from prosecution, whether for the theft or for any other crime. The police are busily engaged in prosecuting their inquiries. Criminal proceedings will at once be taken when any evidence justifying prosecution is forthcoming. A full and public inquiry at present would not be of any use, and would probably interfere with the course of justice.
§ MR. MOOREHas it been publicly stated that the right hon. Gentleman himself has charged one official in Dublin 1534 Castle with being party to a grave and criminal scandal?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo, Sir; it is absolutely untrue.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIn view of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that a public inquiry would not be of any use in this case, is he of opinion that the private inquiry, details of which have been made public, has been of any use either?
§ MR. BIRRELLYes, Sir; it has served some purpose.
§ [No Answer was returned.]