HC Deb 20 May 1908 vol 189 cc287-8
CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that in the course of a speech recently delivered by the hon. Member for Sligo (South) to the Nationalists of South Sligo, North Roscommon, and North Leitrim, he stated that he himself advocated a temporary cessation of hostilities till they could see what the Government's amending Land Bill was like, that, after all, when the Chief Secretary said he would introduce a measure of so far-reaching a character as the promised Bill the least they should do would be to suspend hostilities till the Bill was produced, but, if it was found unsatisfactory, then by all means let them get the hazel, and not for a moment hesitate to drive the cattle, that his advice was not to be too particular as to what methods they employed, there was a wealth of good in the hazel, and they could not do better than have it in readiness; and whether he intends to take any, and, if so, what action.

MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

asked whether, in the event of legal proceedings being taken as a result of this Question against the Member for South Sligo, the Chief Secretary would see that regard was had to the Statute passed in the reign of Queen Anne which laid it down that a portion of the fine inflicted must go to the common informer.

MR. BIRRELL

I have no doubt the statutory law will be observed. The hon. and gallant Member has sent to me a newspaper report of a speech stated to have been delivered by the hon. Member for South Sligo at Riverstown on 3rd May. That report represents the hon. Member to have used language to the effect stated in the Question. The hon. Member is stated to have given advice as to what should be done in a certain contingency which may or may not arise some time hence. However objectionable such advice may have been—supposing that it was given—it does not seem that in the circumstances any proceedings against the hon. Member could be sustained.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to ascertain from the police or other persons whether or not the speech was correctly reported?

* MR. BIRRELL

I cannot say at the moment whether the police were there taking a shorthand note, and, of course, we cannot depend on memory.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain parts of Ireland a great deal of importance is attached to what falls from people in public positions, and will he take steps to prevent the use of language obviously intended to incite to cattle-driving?

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had better put his Question down.