§ 46. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland has informed him what action he took with reference to insurance policies held by the Irish Courts to be illegal when submitted to him as Attorney-General for Ireland in 1911 by the hon. Member for North Westmeath; whether Mr. Charles O'Connor, K.C., has informed him what action he took with reference to the same policies when submitted to him as. Attorney-General for Ireland by the same person; whether Mr. Moloney, K.C., has stated the date in June, 1912, upon which he advised the Law Integrity Insurance Company to evade trial; and whether he has been informed why three of these insurance bodies condemned by the Courts are nevertheless allowed to collect money in Ireland at the present time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no direct knowledge of any of these matters, nor do they come within my official cognisance. I am informed that the matters referred to were inquired into by the present Lord Chancellor and the Master of the Rolls when they held the office of Attorney-General, but no information was obtained which, in their opinion, would justify proceedings being taken against anyone. Mr. Moloney, K.C., states that he did not at any time advise the Law Integrity Insurance Company to evade trial, and that no such advice was ever sought from him. Certain policies issued by the Irish Provident Insurance Company have been declared to be ultra vires by the Irish Court of Appeal, but the company is now in liquidation, and no insurance premiums are being collected.