16. Mr. RONALD M`NEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government have obtained, or intend to obtain, a warrant for the arrest of the right hon. Member for Dublin University; and, if so, on what charge?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. The Government has not obtained, or sought to obtain, any warrant of the nature referred to in the question.
§ Mr. HORNERIs it not the clear duty of the Government to arrest the right hon. Gentleman if it is true, as the Government 1731 and their supporters here assert, that his speeches are treasonable and that he has incited to rebellion, or are the Government convinced that the Ulster resistance to Home Rule is too strong to cope with?
§ Mr. DILLONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has not now abundant evidence that the right hon. Gentleman is exceedingly anxious to be arrested?
Mr. RONALD M`NEILLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question may I ask if before taking action he will take the opinion of the Marconi general?
§ Mr. BIRRELLEveryone knows perfectly well that criminal proceedings based on speeches must be always a matter of somewhat delicate discretion. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman acts on behalf of the right hon. Gentleman in requesting me to proceed with his arrest, but I shall still continue to regard it as a matter for my own discretion.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Gentleman is himself a Crown Prosecutor and would be delighted to hold a brief?