§ 71. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister why the Reports of the proceedings of the courts-martial held in Dublin last May have not yet been presented to this House; and, if the Government have not determined to defeat by delay any 1606 rights that may exist in connection with those proceedings, whether he will accelerate the presentation of those Reports and say when they will be presented?
§ 89. Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Home (Secretary when the Reports of the courts-martial in Ireland promised by the late Government will be published?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is dealing with this matter. It involves a question of policy, and will have to be considered by the new Government.
§ Mr. HEALYI understood the Chancellor of the Exchequer to say he could not give any answer on this subject for publication.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI said I could not give any answer now—before the House rises.
§ 90. Mr. GINNELLasked the Attorney-General, whether his attention has been called to the admission of the Judge-Ad vocate at a recent court-martial on untried Irish prisoners at Frongoch, in the case of Thomas Synnott, that the Royal Warrant under which the defendant was charged would have been illegal in time of peace, but is legal in time of war though the war is not in this country; and, if that ruling was correct, can he give a reference to any statutory authority for it?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir F. Smith)This question was put down, I think on the 12th inst., for written answers, and was duly answered in writing on the 14th. I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe answer sent to me through the post did not appear in the papers so far as I saw. I would ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, Was not this court-martial held as an open Court to which the Press were admitted, and does the answer mean that the Press in this case issued a false report? That report had the special attention of the Censor: why did he not censor it originally?
§ Sir F. SMITHThe hon. Member is asking me a series of fresh questions. His original question was as to whether my attention had been called to the admission alleged to have been made by the Judge-Advocate at the recent court-martial? My information is that no such admission was made by the Judge-Advocate at that court-martial, and I am not called upon to make any observations upon it.
§ Mr. GINNELLCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain to the House the inconsistency of the quotation in the question having appeared in the "Irish Independent" and other. Irish newspapers after examination by the Censor—is it false?