HC Deb 16 April 1959 vol 603 cc1108-9
4. Mr. du Cann

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now considered the situation created by the publication of the Casement diaries in Paris and New York and the forthcoming publication in London; and if he will make a statement.

20. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the request that the documents belonging to the late Sir Roger Casement shall be handed over to the Dublin Museum.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am considering the whole position very carefully in the light of the publication of the book to which my hon. Friend refers. I am not yet able to say more, but I hope to be able to give a fuller reply before long, when my inquiries are completed.

Mr. du Cann

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is able to say whether, when he comes to make his statement, to which we shall look forward in the hope that it will end this sad controversy which has lasted such a long time, he will be able to permit inspection of the originals? Is he able to say what is the legal position of those people, of whom I understand my right hon. Friend is one, who have copies of this book in their possession as regards the Official Secrets Act?

Mr. Butler

I would not like to answer the second part of my hon. Friend's question without notice. In regard to the first part, I am sorry that I cannot take this matter any further today, but I will do so in the very near future. The position is that there are a lot of considerations to be borne in mind, but directly I can make a statement I will do so.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Home Secretary aware that this book, "Black Diaries", which has been stigmatized as the indecent diaries of Sir Roger Casement, has now found its way into the House of Commons Library? Is he also aware that the longer he delays his statement the longer will people in Ireland, America and abroad believe that he is whitewashing forgery? Is it not time that he made up his mind to come right out and hand the diaries back to where they belong?

Mr. Butler

The great question is where do the diaries belong, which is precisely what I am at present considering I have to consider, for example, the representations made recently to me from solicitors representing persons who claim to possess the copyright of these writings, and it is precisely the testamentary aspect which I am at present considering. When I have got that clear I hope it will be possible to take a decision about this. I am sorry that it is not possible to give an answer today.

Mr. Hyde

Will my right hon. Friend answer this point, on which there is a great deal of public curiosity? Could he inform the House whether or not the originals of these diaries are in existence, or whether they have been destroyed?

Mr. Butler

The answer is that they are in existence.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, on balance, it would do much less harm to publish these documents than to go on suppressing them?

Mr. Butler

We are not exactly suppressing them, but I understand the importance of the right hon. Gentleman's question. There are other considerations in relation to other of the diaries which have not been reproduced in that particular " black " volume which need a certain amount of consideration, which I shall be glad to discuss with the right hon. Gentleman if he so desires.