§ 90. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a document now being circulated 211 in Ireland, dated 14th April, 1921, and headed Importation and Sale of British Goods Prohibition Order (No. 2), and purporting to come from the Trade Department of Dail Eireann, and to be signed by Earnan de Blaghd, Minister of Trade, which orders that, on and after 14th May, 1921, the importation and sale of certain specified articles of British make is prohibited, and asserts that the purchase of any articles prohibited by the decree of Dail Eireann is an act of treachery; whether he can say who and what is Earnan de Blaghd; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. HENRYMy attention has been called to this document, which is one of a series emanating from the same source. The steps taken in regard to these publications consist in the orders issued to the police that they are to be destroyed when found. The real name of the person whose signature appears on this particular document is Ernest Blyth, who prefers to be known as Earnan de Blaghd. He has been under notice for seditious behaviour since 1914, and has been several times imprisoned. He was elected to represent North Monaghan in this House at the General Election of 1918. He was last arrested in September, 1919, and sentenced by court-martial to one year's imprisonment with hard labour. A few weeks later he was released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act, and was due to return to custody in December, 1919, but failed to do so, and has since evaded arrest.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCan my right hon. Friend say whether, if he can find the persons who are responsible for issuing these impudent orders and purporting to exercise the functions of the Government, they will be prosecuted?