HC Deb 19 August 1887 vol 319 cc1111-3
MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the National League has been proclaimed in accordance with the announcement made by the Prime Minister in "another place?"

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether the Proclamation is general, and extends to the National League as a whole; or whether it is directed against the League in certain districts in Ireland to be hereafter defined?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

Yes, Sir. It may be for the convenience of the House that I should announce that the Lord Lieutenant, with the advice of the Privy Council, has to-day, by a Proclamation which I have already laid on the Table of the House, declared the National League to be a dangerous Association, under Section 6 of the Crimes Act; and has thus taken power under that Statute to prohibit and suppress that Association by order in any district where such a step may be required to prevent intimidation or interference with the administration of the law. I am desired by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to say that, if it is desired to take the opinion of the House upon the action of the Irish Executive in this matter, in the manner provided by the Act, Thursday next will be reserved for the purpose.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, is the House to understand that the powers are taken to suppress the National League simply as an Association tending to interfere with the administration of the law; and whether that is the sole ground, defined in the 6th clause, under which the League is attacked?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The two subheads of the 6th clause which are mentioned in the Proclamation are as follows —perhaps I had better read a sentence from the Proclamation itself—"Whereas we are satisfied that there exists in Ireland an Association known by the name of the Irish National League——

MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

And will exist in spite of it.

MR. A. J, BALFOUR

"And that said "—[Interruption.]

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

"Association in parts of Ireland promotes and incites to acts of violence and intimidation—"

MR. J. O'CONNOR

It is a lie! ["Order!"]

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

"And interferes with the due administration of the law, now We hereby," and then the Proclamation goes on.

MR. T. C. HARRINGTON (Dublin, Harbour)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question arising out of this matter. I wish to ask him, whether he is aware that nearly all the branches of the National League in Ireland at the present time are engaged in the work of registration: whether he is aware that that is the only Association in Ireland that is opposed to the Conservative Party in the work of registration; and whether the suppression of the National League at this time is done solely for the purpose of paralyzing the efforts of the Association, and to aid the Conservative Party in Ireland in getting strength at the next election?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir; my information does not in the least coincide with that which appears to be possessed by the hon. Member; but I may inform him that no branch of she National League which occupies itself solely is registration of voters work will be interfered with under this Proclamation.

MR. SEXTON

Do we then understand, Sir, that the powers of Clause 7 with regard to the membership and support of the National League do not come into operation until a further Proclamation is issued with regard to particular districts?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member is probably aware that any further action is required to be taken by order—any action regarding special districts required to be taken must be taken by order.

MR. SEXTON

And until that Order is issued with regard to any particular district, the powers of Clause 7 do not come into operation?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That is so.

Subsequently,

MR. SEXTON

asked, when the meeting of the Privy Council was held at which the Proclamation was issued declaring the National League to be a dangerous Association, how many, and what members of the Privy Council were present? He would also like to know whether any of the Judges were present at the meeting of the Privy Council?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Of course, Sir, as I have already explained to the House on previous occasions, the Privy Council is not consulted on an occasion of this sort. The meeting of the Council was held in the afternoon. I cannot tell the exact time. There were present Lord Ashbourne, the Vice Chancellor, and the Lord Lieutenant.

ME. SEXTON

Were those the only three Members present?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes.