§ 23. Mr. GINNELLasked the UnderSecretary for War, seeing that the only formal surrender of the Irish republican army allowed to reach the public is that purporting to have been signed by Patrick H.Pearse when in custody, whether he is now in a position to describe the surrender fully; whether all who knew the terms of surrender first offered by Mr. Pearse before surrender have since been executed; whether it was to prevent his making those terms known that, differing from the other men sentenced to execution, no one was allowed to see Mr. Pearse; whether his mother was prevented from seeing him; whether his brother William, subsequently executed, was prevented from seeing him lest he should learn and convey the terms of surrender; if there was any other motive for the exceptional seclusion, what was it; and whether, now that the exigencies of the time are past, he will, in justice to a brave man, state the terms first offered by Mr. Pearse before surrender?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am unable to give the hon. Member any information at present as regards the publication of official Reports describing the events connected with the recent rebellion in Ireland. There is no truth in the allegations contained in the latter part of the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman inform us when that Report will appear? Is he aware that in denying the statement in the latter part of my question he is grossly misinformed?
§ Mr TENNANTNo, Sir, I cannot fix the date. Perhaps the hon. Member will put a question to the Prime Minister on that subject?
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it true Pearse's mother was not allowed to see him before his execution?
§ Mr. GINNELLYes.
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no reason to believe it.
§ Mr. GINNELLHas not the right hon. Gentleman acknowledged it in this House?