§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that, on the 16th ultimo, a new Masonic Lodge was opened in Bantry, county Cork, at which the leading "brethren" were Mr. E. B. Warburton, Resident Magistrate, Mr. W. H. Fizelle, District Inspector Royal 1105 Irish Constabulary, Bantry, and Mr. J. S. Hume, District Inspector Royal Irish Constabulary, Skibbereen; and, whether, in view of the sentiments of the Catholic inhabitants of the neighbourhood, he will consider the advisability of modifying the police arrangements of the district?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANBeyond what is indicated by reports published in the local Press, the Government has no knowledge of the circumstances referred to as to the alleged establishment of a Masonic Lodge. With regard to the suggested modification of the police arrangements of the Bantry district, the Inspector General informs me that, if any representation is made to him on the subject, he will be prepared to consider whether any necessity for such modification exists.
§ MR. SEXTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether there were any inquiries made by the Government of any of the gentlemen present at the opening of the Lodge?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir; we have not inquired into what appears to be a private matter entirely.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORIs it not a matter of some concern that the whole administration of the Police Force should be in the hands of Freemasons?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI understand that in Ireland, as in England, it has never yet been considered that being a Mason precludes in anyway individuals from the discharge of official duties.