HC Deb 13 February 1913 vol 48 cc1159-61
14. Captain FABER

asked the Chief Secretary whether anything has transpired to throw light on the subject of the theft of the Dublin Crown jewels; and whether, either now or at any time since the robbery, information relating to the crime has been available which, for the sake of shielding any individual, has not been used?

Mr. GINNELL

On a point of Order, Sir. I desire to ask your ruling on the second part of this question. It asks, in effect, whether the Chief Secretary is or is not guilty of the crime of conferring immunity from the criminal law upon some person. In the first place, the Chief Secretary has been directly charged and has not explicitly denied the charge. In the second place, the accused person—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member, I understand, is putting a question.

Mr. GINNELL

Yes, certainly.

Mr. SPEAKER

The question seems to me of very much the same character as that already asked by the hon. Member.

Mr. GINNELL

On a point of Order. May I ask, Sir, whether it is in order to ask a Member in the position of the Chief Secretary a question the answer to which may incriminate him?

Mr. SPEAKER

If it will have that result, he is not bound to answer.

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

Nothing whatever has been discovered to throw any new light on the mystery of the theft of the Crown Jewels; nor is there any evidence whatever in existence at the present moment which would justify the arrest or prosecution of any person. The story, which someone must have invented out of spite, that anyone is being shielded from prosecution is simply a lie; and I am sorry to have to add that it has lately been revived in connection with the name of Lord Haddo. The introduction of his lordship's name into the matter is a particularly cruel outrage, for, as already stated, he was not in Ireland for months before or after the robbery; he had no connection with the Office of Arms, and was only inside that office once in his life.

Mr. GINNELL

May I ask on what grounds, except Kane's report, did the Chief Secretary ask Lord Haddo to say that he was absent from Dublin at the time?

Mr. BIRRELL

I inquired about the movements of Lord Haddo, because I regret that in some infamous newspapers in this country his name was connected with the crime.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why Lord Haddo was not produced before the Commission?

17. Earl WINTERTON

asked who were the persons holding official positions entitling them to have access, or acting as clerks or secretaries to those entitled to have access, to the Dublin Crown Jewels at the time immediately preceding their theft; and how many of those persons have subsequently resigned their offices, with the reasons given in each ease?

Mr. BIRRELL

The only person entitled to have access to the Crown Jewels was Sir Arthur Vicars, Ulster King-of-Arms. The persons employed in the Office of Arms immediately preceding the theft of the jewels were Mr. Burtchaell, secretary to Sir Arthur Vicars, Mr. Horlock, clerk, and Miss Gibbon, typist. These persons were in the personal employment of Sir Arthur Vicars, and their employment ceased on his removal from office. Mr. Burtchaell was subsequently placed in charge of the office and has since been appointed Athlone Pursuivant. The officials attached to the office at the time were Mr. Mahony, Cork Herald, Mr. Shackleton, Dublin Herald, and Mr. Goldney, Athlone Pursuivant. In October, 1907, it was decided, with the approval of the Crown, that the Office of Arms, Dublin Castle, should be reconstructed. This involved the retirement of the Dublin Herald, and the Athlone Pursuivant, who were notified accordingly and resigned office. Mr. Mahony, the Cork Herald, resigned in 1910, assigning no reason for doing so.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman say on what date Mr. Shackleton resigned his post?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am afraid I do not remember the exact date.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the Chief Secretary inform the House about the missing duplicate key of the strong room? Has it yet been discovered?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know what the hon. Member means. There were two or three keys opening this particular safe, all of which were in the possession of Sir Arthur Vicars.

Mr. GINNELL

Are they available now?

Mr. BIRRELL

I think so; yes.

Mr. GINNELL

No.

20. Mr. GINNELL

asked what persons, other than officials and their assistants, had access, through relationship and acquaintance with officials and familiarity with the police, to the room in Dublin Castle in which the Crown Jewels were kept at the time those jewels were stolen in 1907?

Mr. BIRRELL

I know of no such persons.

Mr. GINNELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why, during the last five years, he has not been able to get anybody in Ireland to believe his version of the story?