HC Deb 06 March 1888 vol 323 cc362-3
MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the observations of Major D'Arcy, J.P., at the Irvinestown Petty Sessions, on 8th February, 1888, when that gentleman declared that— He would know how to deal with members of the National League if they were brought before him, even if there never was a Coercion Act in force; and, whether he will call the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the matter?

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

(who replied) said: I hardly think the observations attributed to Major D'Arcy as a magistrate are of so serious importance as to require the attention of the Lord Chancellor to be called to them.

MR. W. REDMOND

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether it is a fact that Major D'Arcy made an application to the magistrates of that district to recommend the Lord Lieutenant to suppress the National League in the locality; and whether, upon the magistrates refusing because of the tranquillity of the district to make such a recommendation, Major D'Arcy, speak- ing of members of the National League, said— I shall know how to treat these gentlemen when they are "brought before me, whether there is a Coercion Act or not; and does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that that is language likely to inspire the people with respect for the impartiality of the Bench?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

The hon. Gentleman gave no Notice as to this supplementary Question. If any person feels himself so aggrieved by this language, he is at liberty to appeal to the Lord Chancellor.

MR. W. REDMOND

Might I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, whether it is not the invariable practice in cases like this that the Lord Chancellor's attention is directed to speeches of this kind by the Government; and whether, considering what the Government has already done in certain cases, he is net now leaving the duty of the Government to be performed by private individuals; also, whether he is not aware that unless notice is taken by the Government of this threat, the Nationalists of the district will be very much inclined to get the idea into their heads that Major D'Arcy intends to find them guilty, no matter what they are brought before him for?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I have a much higher respect for the common sense of the Nationalists than to think that.

MR. W. REDMOND

I expected no better answer.