HC Deb 17 February 1882 vol 266 cc983-4
MR. CHAPLIN

said, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which he had not given him Notice, but of which he would, if he preferred, give him Notice. The Question was, Whether the statement which appeared in The Times that morning, that the Government intended to withdraw, or had withdrawn, the protection of the police from the caretakers placed in vacant farms in Ireland by the Property Defence Association is correct?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, this is a Question of which I would rather have had Notice; but as I have been asked it, perhaps I had better endeavour to answer it at once. It is our determination, which we are carrying into practice, to give every protection it is possible to give; but we must be allowed to judge of the most effectual manner of doing it. Application was made to us to send one or two or more policemen to put them by the side of every caretaker. That, the hon. Member will see, would be impossible. It would require a force of 50,000 or 100,000 police. We do not believe that it is necessary. We believe it will be more effectual for the whole purpose in view of maintaining law and order to have a good system of patrolling, and to have arrangements with the police whereby they may be called at any moment. We must also to some extent—and every Government is in the same position—rely upon the persons who are threatened doing something for their own protection. There is a notion abroad that they are not quite justified in resisting any attack made on them; but they are perfectly justified in doing so, and I am glad to have this opportunity of making that remark. That does not relieve the Government of their duty to give protection to the utmost of their ability. We are determined to do so; but, in the exercise of our discretion, we do not think it would be the best plan to place policemen by the side of every caretaker.

MR. CHAPLIN

asked, if it was true that notice of the withdrawal of the police in certain cases had, as was stated, teen sent to the Property Defence Association?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, I suppose that rumour arose out of the course taken in a particular case. Every case will be judged on its merits.