§ 44. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he can, with due regard to the public interest, lay upon the Table of the House the documents found in the possession or at the house of Mr. de Valera when he was arrested in 1918; and whether such documents disclosed, amongst other things, the plans and methods then contemplated for the raising of the Irish republican army?
§ The PRIME MINISTERSome of the documents found in Mr. de Valera's possession when arrested on the 17th May, 1918, will be included in the documents which the Government have promised to make public, and which will be issued shortly.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask why the right hon. Gentleman says "some" of the documents? Why not all of the documents?
§ The PRIME MINISTERBecause these are the only documents which bear upon the promise given by the Government—documents which implicate that particular organisation in a German conspiracy.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman see that all information possible is given to the public, in order that they may understand the real nature of this conspiracy against British rule?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, certainly.