HC Deb 06 August 1883 vol 282 cc1621-2
MR. O'BRIEN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the following account in the "Daily Telegraph" of August 1st was true— Attacks on Irish harvestmen, such as disgraced Cheshire last year, have recommenced. This afternoon three English farm labourers, named Dodd, Littler, and Richardson, were charged at Eddisbury with assaults on Patrick Philips, an Irish harvestman, at Durham. Prosecutor said he was going home when defendants threw stones at him in regular showers, and Dodd and Littler struck him violently with their fists, knocking him down. He gave defendants no provocation. He had loft his situation because he lived in fear of further outrages. A police officer who witnessed the attack said prisoners got the Irishman against a stile, and beat him most unmercifully, causing blood to flow freely. The magistrates fined the defendants each £1 and costs, and stated that they would send other offenders to gaol. and, whether, considering the light character of the punishment, he can take steps in the matter?

MR. HIBBERT (for Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT)

I am sorry to say that the facts stated by the hon. Member are not exaggerated; on the contrary, so far from being fined £1, as stated, the men were only fined 10s., with 9s. 6d. costs, which made up nearly £1. At the same time, I am happy to be able to inform the hon. Member that the Chairman stated that if any more cases of assaults on Irish harvestmen in the neighbeurhood occurred, they would deal more seriously with them. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Secretary of State has no power to increase the sentences imposed by magistrates.

MR. O'BRIEN

Would it not be in the power of the Secretary of State to admonish the magistrates for inflicting such a small penalty on men who brutally waylaid an unfortunate Irish harvestman, or else brutally waylaying Irish harvestmen will become a very popular amusement in England?

MR. HIBBERT

I quite agree that the fine was small for so serious an offence; but I do not think the Secretary of State should depart from the usual course.