HC Deb 03 November 1882 vol 274 cc763-5
MR. PARNELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- land, Whether he has received any information with regard to the dispersal of the meeting at Newbridge, county Galway, by Mr. Mansfield, R. M., and the arrest of Mr. Matthew Harris while addressing the meeting; and, whether notice required by the Crimes Act was given to those composing the meeting previous to its dispersal?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the matter with regard to which the hon. Member for the City of Cork inquires has ever since the first announcement in the newspapers received the earnest attention of the Government. The Question divides itself into two parts. The first part is retrospective as to the proceedings at the meeting—the arrest of Mr. M. Harris—and the circumstances under which that arrest was made. The Government is bound to have a decided opinion upon what has passed; but it is equally bound to make up that opinion after a close and full inquiry. I may say that a telegraphic answer has come to the effect that the meeting was not interfered with, but that the chairman dissolved it verbally. I state this because I am bound to give the hon. Member the best answer I can to his Question; but I have taken care that this point, like others, will be the matter of careful inquiry. The next part of the Question is as to whether Mr. Harris's speech was such as to render it proper to prosecute him under the Intimidation Clause of the Prevention of Crime Act.

MR. PARNELL

I have not asked that Question.

MR. TREVELYAN

The Question, I think, was asked yesterday, and it is so closely connected with the inquiry of the hon. Member that it can be dealt with in the same answer. Now, on this point an absolute rule has been laid down that no prosecution is to take place under the Prevention of Crime Act for words spoken on a platform, or for writings in a newspaper, until the question has been brought before both the Lord Lieutenant and myself. We shall, as always, examine into the matter and decide on our responsibility.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

The right hon. Gentleman says that the meeting was not dispersed. I beg to ask him if he has read the newspaper report containing these words— Mr. Stewart, S.I.: Stop the meeting, sir. Mr. Kirwan: By whose authority are you interfering with this constitutional meeting, sir? No answer. I quote these words from the report of The Daily Express of Dublin, an organ not likely to be favourable to the meeting.

MR. TREVELYAN

I do not attach much weight to the newspaper reports. I have read that report, and it is in consequence of that that I gave the hon. Member the best answer I could. But I have taken special care that the matter shall be completely inquired into.

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

It appears to me that the Question is not in reference to a prosecution at all. It is in reference to the arrest of Mr. Harris, and whether that arrest was justified or not.

MR. HEALY

The right hon. Gentleman states that the meeting was dissolved by the chairman. I beg to ask him whether the dissolution did not take place when the bayonets of the police were at the throats of the people?

MR. TREVELYAN

As I said, I have not the facts beyond those contained in the telegram, and I gave the best answer I could.