§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether on Friday last Mr. Clifford Lloyd, R. M. addressing the Police of the city of Limerick on parade, condemned their conduct in agitating for an improvement of their position, and informed them that, if they had been soldiers their conduct would have brought upon them an extreme penalty; whether that statement was received by the constables with cries of "We are not soldiers," and whether the constables, on the conclusion of the parade, declared their determination not to parade again before Mr. Clifford Lloyd; whether, on a subsequent parade, Colonel Bruce, Inspector General, declared that the movement of the men was unprecedented in military history, and was an absolutely disloyal combination; whether, on a demand from the men for an apology for what they denounced as an insult, Colonel Bruce explained that he had not meant to insult them; and, whether, after four other parades, the proceedings closed with a refusal on the part of the police to retire from the movement in which they have engaged? He wished also to know, whether, at a meeting of constables yesterday, a resolution was passed calling on Mr. Clifford Lloyd to make a public apology for what he had said on Friday last?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have not yet got the official report upon the subject-matter of this Question, therefore I cannot answer it now; indeed, I do not see any reason for an immediate answer in this case. It may become of importance, as a matter of history; and, therefore, before I reply, I should like extremely to know what happened both from Colonel Bruce and Mr. Clifford Lloyd, and if the speeches, so far as they can be given, can be given in extenso. With regard to the last part of the Question of the hon. Member, it is one upon which I have received no information, and I can hardly believe that such is the case. If it is the case, it is an extremely imprudent and improper step to take.
§ MR. SEXTONsaid, he would repeat the Question.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked if the right hon. Gentleman was not aware that a communication had been sent to the newspapers by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, giving his version of the story, and practically acknowledging the state of facts as published?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have read Mr. Clifford Lloyd's published letter to the newspapers, and I have also received a private letter from him; but my impression is that it is not an affair that calls for Parliamentary inquiry. Mr. Clifford Lloyd is supposed to have used a particular word, and it is rather important to know whether he used it or not; but it seems to me that a gentleman like Mr. Clifford Lloyd, occupying the position he does, has a right to go and try and do all he can, in the interests of duty and discipline, to endeavour to bring the men to a proper condition of mind.