MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that a meeting of the Parsonstown Orange Lodge, with a view to organising an Orange demonstration in that town on the 12th July next, was held on the 11th June ult. on the premises of the local Supervisor of Excise; and, if so, whether it is in accordance with the rules of the Civil Service that its members should so identify themselves with a secret society?
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONESir, I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this Question. No such meeting as that referred to was held in the Supervisor's house on the 11th of June, or any other day. It appears that the Orange Hall adjoins the Supervisor's house, though it is not connected with it in any way, and this probably explains the error into which the hon. Member has fallen.