HC Deb 27 July 1916 vol 84 c1844

The following question stood in the name of Mr. T. M. HEALY

12. To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether one of his inspectors has been arrested and interned; was the consent of his Department sought before the military acted; do his Department regard the inspector as guilty or innocent; is his position being kept open; and will his salary be paid?

Mr. HEALY

I have received a letter from the Home Secretary, requesting me not to put this question because of the absence of the Irish Minister for Agriculture. Of course, if it is a matter of the personal convenience of the Minister for Agriculture, I gladly do so, but we cannot help noticing that both the members of the Irish Administration, the Attorney-General and the head of the Irish Agricultural Department, are not in attendance, and I should like to ask if it is by order of the Government that they are not allowed to attend the House?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

No, they are attending to the business of their Departments in Ireland. The Attorney-General will certainly be here next week and I am asking the Vice-President if he can come over to answer the hon. and learned Gentleman's question and two others.

Mr. HEALY

I have great pleasure in postponing the question.