HC Deb 17 November 1908 vol 196 cc1063-4
MR. GINNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the value of the Crown jewels stolen from Dublin Castle last year, and explain why the Irish Government and the Dublin police authorities have not yet held an open sworn investigation into that particular theft; whether he is aware of the belief prevalent in Ireland that the Government know the thief and do not desire to expose or punish him; and, if the Government desire to remove this impression, whether they will take the course of disproving it by instituting an open sworn investigation with as litle delay as possible.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.

I am unable to state what was the value of the jewels. I understand that opinions differ widely on the subject. As regards the remainder of the Question I have nothing to add to the numerous replies which I have already given. I refer in particular to my reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras East on 1st June last.

MR. GINNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state who was responsible, at the time the Crown jewels were stolen from Dublin Castle, for the policing of the building from which those jewels were stolen.

MR. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for North Armagh on 2nd July last.