§ EARL CADOGANMy Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether they will lay on the Table of the House all official Papers and correspondence connected with the case of Constable Anderson, of the Royal Irish Constabulary. When I gave notice of this Question yesterday, I was careful to explain to the House that it was not my intention to raise a discussion, at all events on this occasion, upon the subject to which it refers. The case of Constable Anderson is one of a peculiar character, and has aroused an immense amount of feeling throughout the country. It has formed the subject of many writings in newspapers and elsewhere, and it has also, I 1343 think, caused some disturbance of mind to those who, like your Lordships, are anxious that nothing should be done to exacerbate the feelings between the various religious sects in Ireland. I am not aware of exactly how much information we have before us on this case. I believe that in the shape to Answers to Questions in another place the Chief Secretary has given certain information to the Members of the other House, and I believe also that the particulars of the trial of Constable Anderson are to be obtained, though I confess I have not been able to see them. I venture to put it to your Lordships that if this case is to be considered in this House—and I think it is almost impossible that it should not be raised in some form or other—it would be desirable, not only for our sakes, but for the sake of His Majesty's Government, that all the information that can be conveniently given should be afforded to the House. I am not aware whether the subject will be raised in another place, though I have heard that such is the expectation; but whether that is so or not, I venture to ask His Majesty's Government whether they will lay upon the Table any—I should prefer to say all—official communications which have passed on this subject. I do so with a desire that if the subject is discussed it should be discussed with full and perfect information, which we have certainly not got at present. I should be glad if His Majesty's Government would return a favourable Answer to my Question.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND (Lord ASHBOURNE)My Lords, any request coming from the noble Earl, who has had so long and so distinguished a connection with the Government of Ireland would, of course, meet with a most ready and cordial response from those who are at present responsible for the Executive administration of that country; but I am informed that there are no documents which they can, in accordance with practice and convenience, lay on the Table of your Lordships' House. But when my noble friend desires to discuss the subject in detail he will find any materials that he may require in the very numerous Questions and Answers in the other House of 1344 Parliament. Though I have not myself seen it, there is also, I believe, a report of the evidence that was taken at the inquiry.
§ EARL CADOGANWhich inquiry.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEAt the second Court of Inquiry, at which sworn evidence was taken. I am told that it appeared in the Press, and, if so, it is accessible to everyone who desires to see it. I am not in a position to meet my noble friend further; but whenever he deems it right to raise the question, it will, of course, be my duty to be here and to give such explanation as may be desirable.
§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, I fully share the views of the noble Earl opposite—that it is extremely difficult to deal with this subject without more information than apparently we now have. The noble and learned Lord, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, replied that there is, so far as he knows, sufficient information in Answers to Questions in another place. My noble friend the late Lord-Lieutenant certainly did not seem to think that information sufficient, and then the noble and learned Lord said it was not usual to produce Papers such as those asked for. Every case of this kind must be decided upon its merits, and if this case is one of very great importance, as apparently it is, I think an exception to the usual practice should be made, and if there are any Papers and documents which bear materially upon it I would press His Majesty's Government to produce them. I am told that the Irish newspapers have been full of this case for some time past; and from the leading organs here we know that there is a good deal of feeling on the subject, and that it is a question of some importance. I would, therefore, ask the noble and learned Lord whether in this case he cannot see his way to produce other documents than the one which he says is available bearing materially on this case and putting it properly before the public.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE EOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)My Lords, I am sure nothing is further from the desire of the Irish Government than to suppress any 1345 information which can properly be given to the public, and it occurs to me that matters would be rather advanced if the noble Earl would give us an idea of the kind of documents which he thinks might be produced. One important document has been referred to by the noble and learned Lord—namely, that containing the finding of the Court of Inquiry.
§ EARL CADOGANThe evidence.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEThe evidence of the Court of Inquiry, and, I imagine, the orders passed upon it by the Lord-Lieutenant. I understand that these documents are already public property. If the noble Earl will tell us what other Papers he would desire to possess we will certainly consider his demand for their production.
§ EARL SPENCERI can only speak from past experience in these matters. I have myself held the position of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and, so far as I know, there must have been minutes on this subject—minutes by the Inspector-General of Constabulary, minutes regulating the Court of Inquiry, and minutes which would show how the final decision took place. I understand that there have been several decisions on the point, and there must be Papers on which the final decision, which is, I understand, to reinstate this constable, was based. I am not expressing any shadow of opinion one way or the other; but, in a case of this sort, where there is strong feeling and a great desire to get at the bottom of the matter, I think more official documents than those to which reference has been made ought to be produced.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEI will mention the matter to the Chief Secretary, in whose competence it is, and ascertain if there are any documents which, in his opinion, can, in the interests of the public service, be laid on the Table.
§ EARL CADOGANIt was because I did not in any way wish to embarrass His Majesty's Government that I did not mention any particular document which I wished produced. I should be quite content if His Majesty's Government would agree to afford us any information they 1346 can, and lay on the Table of the House such documents as they think can be laid without any injury to the public service.
§ House adjourned at half-past Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half-past Ten o'clock.