HC Deb 21 April 1882 vol 268 cc1106-7
MR. LEAMY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true, as reported in the "Cornish Telegraph" of Thursday 20th instant, that, on Tuesday last, a riot occurred at Camborne, Cornwall, which began in an attempt to stone two Irishmen who were in the custody of the police; that the houses of the Irish in the town were wrecked, and the property in them destroyed and several of their occupants brutally ill-used, that, in one case, a poor old woman who had been bedridden for a couple of years was pulled from her bed and left writhing in agony on the floor; that an attack was made on the Catholic Chapel, and that,— First the windows were smashed in, then, after repeated efforts, the doors were forced. Inside, the rioters lost all control of themselves, and did most wanton damage. They broke up the crucifixes and pictures; the image of the Virgin Mary was torn from its place, thrown amongst the mob, and trampled to pieces. The confessional-box was speedily converted into fire-wood. The altar and its fittings were torn down, and the gaseliers were broken off, and the organ destroyed—the scene within the Church beggaring description; whether any of the rioters have been arrested; and, whether any steps have been taken to protect the life and property of the Irish residents in Camborne and to restore law and order in that town?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

, in reply, said, his official knowledge—and he could not go beyond that—was furnished by a letter from the Chief Constable, in which it was stated that every precaution had been taken to prevent future disturbance and the repetition of these disgraceful scenes of riot. He had addressed to the Justices' clerk, from whom, also, he had a communication, a letter of inquiry as to whether any measures had been taken to arrest the rioters, and to punish them for the outrages they had committed. He had, of course, received no answer to that letter.

MR. LEAMY

Is the report from The Cornish Telegraph substantially correct or not?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, he could not state. He had no knowledge whatever, except the letter he received yesterday, which gave no details.

MR. BELLINGHAM

asked if the right hon. and learned Gentleman had any knowledge of the renewal of the rioting as reported in this evening's papers?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, he had no knowledge.

MR. LEAMY

said, he would repeat his Questions on Monday. If such riots occurred in Ireland they should have had all the details immediately.