HC Deb 21 June 1917 vol 94 cc1935-6
15. Mr. GINNELL

asked how far the policy of restitution, restoration, and amnesty announced by the Government will extend; whether the Government will compensate and immediately restore to their former positions, with pension and other rights unaffected, all of the released political prisoners who occupied positions, won in competitive examination, in Government Departments, and who have never been convicted by a civil Court; what measures are to be taken to compel private employers to act similarly; and whether those merely suspected of complicity in the events leading up to the insurrection, but never tried, and who have avoided the secret Courts, such as Messrs. Monteith and Mellowes, are now free to return to their homes without danger of arrest for the past?

Mr. DUKE

The public servants dismissed for complicity in the rebellion were dismissed because their conduct had been inconsistent with the fidelity an employer is entitled to expect from his employés. The release of prisoners sentenced to penal servitude is not an analogous case. Whether individuals who were engaged in the rebellion and who left the country would be prosecuted on their reappearance depends upon the facts in each case. These are not at present before me.

Mr. GINNELL

Has the Chief Secretary inquired about the two cases mentioned? Are they free to return to their homes?

Mr. DUKE

I will inquire about such cases when the occasion arises. These persons, if there are persons of the names mentioned, know quite well what their conduct has been, and whether they are included in the spirit of the declarations which the Government has made.

Mr. LYNCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider sympathetically the reinstatement of officials so as not to leave any ill-feeling?

Mr. DUKE

There is no analogy between the remission of punishment and the discontinuance of employment for which a man has proved himself unfit by not being faithful.

Mr. GINNELL

Does the Chief Secretary expect his answers to contribute to a favourable position in Ireland?

Mr. DUKE

A Chief Secretary must consider what is proper in individual cases. He must not try to map out future consequences of which he cannot be aware.