§ Mr. CREANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, before legal proceedings are instituted against persons in Ireland for breach of the peace or riot, the county inspector in charge calls for written reports from the police present on the occasion; whether all reports tending to extenuation of the offence or acquittal of the accused are carefully withheld from the court, and only such evidence as may lead to conviction used; whether he has 486 any official information showing that the adoption of these methods leads to the conviction of innocent men; and whether it is the duty of the Crown, in the interest of justice, to place all the facts before the court?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that before legal proceedings are instituted against persons in Ireland for breach of the peace or riot the county inspector, with a view to examining the evidence available, calls for reports as stated. It is the duty of the Crown in the interest of justice to place all the facts before the court, and there is no ground for the suggestion that evidence of any kind is withheld. All the evidence is truthfully and fairly given so far as the police are concerned.
§ Mr. CREANWould the right hon. Gentleman confer with the Attorney-General for Ireland, who acted as Crown Prosecutor, as to whether evidence was suppressed? I can give him evidence of it myself.