§ Earl WINTERTONasked whether the Dublin committee of the Institute of Journalists have passed a resolution describing the denial of the alleged interview with Sir James Dougherty, which appeared in the Press at the time of the recent Irish railway strike, as an unjust and unwarrantable aspersion upon the journalists engaged in reporting the recent strikes in Dublin; and whether, in view of these circumstances and the importance of the statements contained in the alleged interview, the Chief Secretary will cause further inquiry to be made into the matter?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe answer to both paragraphs of the question is in the negative.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the accuracy of this interview has been attested by independent journalists, and will he, in these circumstances, and in view of the feeling which has been aroused, institute an inquiry into the matter?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHNo. The Noble Lord put a question to my right hon. Friend, who replied on the 26th of last month. That was the subject of discussion by the Institute of Journalists on November 2nd, and the result was that they authorised the chairman to take action in the matter.