HC Deb 06 May 1909 vol 4 cc1179-80
Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state if the law officers are aware that the newspapers, the "Longford Leader" and the "Leitrim Leader," do not print on their issues the names of the publishers and the places where printed, as required by statute; and, if so, will the Government take steps to enforce the law?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

The hon. and gallant Member would appear to be misinformed both as to the facts and the law. Recent issues of these papers, which I have seen, contain the name of the printer and publisher, although the statute to which he refers does not extend to Ireland.

Captain CRAIG

Why is it that the names only appeared since this question was put upon the paper?

Mr. BIRRELL

There is no obligation for the names to appear at all, and I cannot go any further into it.

Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the "Leitrim Observer," printed at Carrick-on-Shannon, has recently been purchased from the late proprietor by three county and district councillors, and with it the contract for the printing for the county council of Leitrim and district council of Carrick-on-Shannon; and, if so, whether he called their attention to the fact that they have disqualified themselves under this contract from acting as county and district councillors; and whether he proposes to enforce the law on the subject?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am informed that the paper in question has not been sold, but is managed by two relatives of the proprietor as trustees for his wife and children. One of these relatives is a district councillor. I am not in a position to say whether he has acted as a district councillor since he has been appointed trustee, or, if so, whether he was disqualified from so doing. It is not my duty to advise district councillors on matters of this kind. It is open to any ratepayer of the district to raise the question if he desires to do so.

An HON. MEMBER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proprietor and editor has never taken any part in politics?

Mr. BIRRELL

No; really I am not aware of the affairs of editors of newspapers.