§ 5. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Government still deny the authenticity of the secret circular of instructions for the capture or slaughter of the Irish Volunteers; will he explain for what purpose large quantities of rifles, ammunition, explosives, and other warlike requisites were stored in the College of Surgeons and in Trinity College, Dublin, before the insurrection?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)I have no information about any secret circular of instructions such as the hon. Gentleman mentions, but I will make inquiries, though I have little doubt that the hon. Member has discovered a mare's nest.
§ Mr. GINNELLHas not the right hon. Gentleman been aware of this document of secret instructions since last April? Is he not aware that it was read at a meeting of the Dublin Corporation before the insurrection?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo; I am wholly unaware of that.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs he not aware that these facts are within public knowledge, and that it cannot be described as my mare's nest?