§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, following upon a public appeal and resolution of the Land League in the month of June last year, the inhabitants of Ulster, on the occasions of the Orange anniversaries in July, conducted themselves in such a manner that no serious breach of the peace resulted from the celebration of the anniversaries; whether the Government apprehend any breaches of the peace next month in Ulster, in connection with the celebration of the Orange anniversaries; and, whether, the Land League being now suppressed, the Government mean to take any, and, if so, what, special steps to prevent the celebration of the Orange anniversaries from resulting in breaches of the peace and possible loss of life?
§ LORD ARTHUR HILLPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman would also answer a Question of which I have given him private Notice. It is to the following effect:—Whether it is not the case that 405 of late years, before the Land League was established, the July celebrations in the North have been celebrated with an entire absence of party and sectarian animosity?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Question of the hon. Member for Sligo (Mr. Sexton) only appeared on Saturday, and I have, consequently, had but little time to make inquiries; I believe, however, that the influence of the Land League was used in the direction indicated by the Question. In reply to the latter part of the Question, and to the noble Lord's Question, I may say that the Irish Executive, under both past and present Governments, have always taken care that a sufficient number of Resident Magistrates, with an adequate Constabulary force, should, on the occasions of these anniversaries, be on the spot to preserve the peace. The same course will be taken next month. Some serious breaches of the peace have, I think, occurred in connection with the celebrations even in late years.