HL Deb 09 February 1882 vol 266 c221
THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

desired to put another Question, which, perhaps, the Lord Privy Seal would be able to answer without Notice. If, however, the noble Lord wished for Notice, he would put it on the Paper. The other night the noble Lord mentioned that a mysterious pamphlet had been put into circulation by Mr. Godley, Secretary to the Land Commission, on the recommendation and at the instance of a brother official. Was the noble Lord able to give the name of the brother official?

LORD CARINGFORD

Yes; the official referred to was the Solicitor of the Land Commission, Mr. Fottrell. He thought his best answer to the Question of the noble Marquess would be to say that he was going to move for a Copy of the Correspondence between the Chief Secretary for Ireland and the Land Commission, which would explain all the circumstances of this strange case.

LORD DUNSANY

wished to know Whether this Mr. Fottrell was the same gentleman who acted as Solicitor to the Land League; because, if that were so, it would be the most natural thing in the world that such a pamphlet should be circulated by him; but that such a document should be circulated by the Land Commission was strange. He would not say that it contained high treason, like much of the Land League literature, but sedition, and for that word he had Ministerial authority.

LORD CARLINGFORD

said, he was not able at present to answer the Question. He had no idea as to the fact, or supposed fact, stated by the noble Lord.