HC Deb 10 September 1887 vol 321 cc158-61
MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What information he can give with respect to the action of the police at Mitchelstown yesterday?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON) (Liverpool, Walton)

In the absence of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary I have to inform the hon. Gentleman, with regret, that we have not yet got any official information on the subject of this Question. All I know is that in regard to the unfortunate action of the police at Mitchelstown yesterday—and there is no doubt that an unfortunate collision did take place—the police having been attacked, two men lost their lives in consequence of gun-shot wounds. The Government have sent a telegram to Mitchelstown, and they expect to get official information at the earliest possible moment. I do not think it is desirable, nor that the House would expect me, to make any statement with regard to the occurrence until we have that official information on the accuracy of which we can confidently rely.

COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)

On the same subject, Sir, I should like to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a Question of which I have given him private, although I admit somewhat scanty, Notice. I wish to know whether the Government will consider the propriety of compensating those sufferers from the action of the police who may not be proved to have committed any unlawful act; and in the case of those persons who have been killed, if it can be shown that they were innocent parties, and were guilty of no unlawful act, whether the Government will consider the propriety, in the same manner, of compensating the families of the deceased men?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I fully appreciate the motives of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and the entire absence of anything like Party spirit in the observations which he has made. But I am sure he will see that, in the absence of that complete information which we ought to possess before we attempt to deal with so grave a question as this, I am unable to give him an answer. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman thinks it right to repeat his Question on Monday I hope to be able to give some information to the House.

MR. SEXTON

The right hon. Gentleman will recollect that I called attention to the deplorable occurrence which took place last evening at the rising of the House this morning. I will, therefore, ask whether any effort has since been made to establish direct telegraphic communication between Mitchelstown and London.?

MR. GIBSON

I have already said that a telegram was sent last night to Mitchelstown. I believe that a further telegram has been sent this morning; and I understand that arrangements have been made to keep the wire open for the purpose of transmitting information to the Government.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

I beg to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland whether the attempt to disperse the meeting at Mitchelstown was solely in consequence of the meeting having been proclaimed? Is it the view of the Government that the proclamation of a meeting which would otherwise be a lawful meeting constitutes that meeting an unlawful assembly, so that it may be dispersed by force, killing all persons who make any attempt to resist?

MR. GIBSON

As I have already pointed out, it is out of my power to make any statement in reference to the facts of the case, because, up to the present moment, Her Majesty's Government have received no official information. What I understand occurred is this—a Government shorthand writer was, in discharge of his duty to take notes of the speeches, about to take notes of the speeches that were going to be delivered when the police, who were protecting him, were attacked. That, I believe, was the origin of this unfortunate occurrence.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether the police authorities conveyed any information to the conductors of the meeting that they desired to report the meeting, or made any request, as is usually done at meetings in Ireland, for accommodation of the Government shorthand writer on or near the platform?

MR. GIBSON

I have already stated to the House that I am not acquainted officially with the actual circumstances which took place yesterday at Mitchelstown; but I am not aware that in order to enable a policeman to discharge his bounden duty it is necessary to give any prior intimation that he intends to discharge that duty.

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

I desire to know from the Attorney General for Ireland whether he has seen the reports in the newspapers which describe that this police reporter was endeavouring to force his way to the platform? I also wish to know from the Attorney General whether he will do his best to get information in the course of to-day, as I am anxious about the matter?—the combatants being my constituents, of whoso conduct I am intensely proud to-day.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. SEXTON

I beg to give Notice, Sir, that I shall strenuously resist any progress being made with the Appropriation Bill unless a full and official account is laid before the House to-day.

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

I wish to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is a fact, as is shown by to-day's papers, that the commencement of this terrible affair—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! A number of Questions have been asked on this matter, and the Ministers have replied that they are not in possession of sufficient information. The matter cannot be carried further.

DR. TANNER

I bow to your decision; but—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day.

MR. SEXTON

I must remind the right hon. Gentleman that there are other Questions on the Paper which have not yet been put.

DR. TANNER

Hear, hear !