HC Deb 22 August 1887 vol 319 cc1368-9
MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the Parliamentary Paper, "Boycotting and Police Protection (Ireland)," circulated on Saturday last, What state of facts is alleged by the Irish Government in regard to the cases of "Persons wholly Boycotted" and "Persons partly Boycotted," respectively; under what circumstances persons enumerated in the Return receive "special constant police protection;" how their cases are distinguished from those of persons "protected by patrols;" and, what is the operation of this latter form of protection; and, whether the Return is founded upon Reports and representations by the police?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said: Persons are described as "wholly Boycotted" when no one in their neighbourhood will work for them, supply them with goods, or have any intercourse with them; as. "partially Boycotted" when, although put to serious inconvenience, they are not altogether unable to buy necessaries, or to exchange the civilities of life with their neighbours. Persons described as receiving "special constant police protection" are those whose lives are in such danger that they have to be protected by the presence of the police at all times. Persons "protected by patrols" are those whose lives are not considered to be in danger, but whose person or property is liable to outrage. The form the latter takes is the presence of the police at different times throughout the 24 hours at the place where the protection is needed. The Return is founded upon Reports made by the local Constabulary Authorities.

MR. SEXTON

I would like to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, if the 768 persons mentioned in the first Return as being wholly or partly Boycotted are included in the 1,000 persons mentioned in the second Return as having casual police protection?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to put the Question down.

MR. SEXTON

Surely the right hon. and gallant Gentleman can tell the House. The first Return says 169 persons are wholly Boycotted and 609 partly; and I want him to say if they are the same persons who receive special or casual protection in the second Return?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I have not got the Return before me; but if the hon. Gentleman will put the Question down I will ascertain.

MR. SEXTON

I will repeat the Question to-morrow.