HC Deb 20 February 1885 vol 294 cc920-1
DR. CAMERON (for Mr. FRASER-MACKINTOSH)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he will lay further Papers connected with the armed expedition to Skye, brought down to date, upon the Table of the House; and, if he will inform the House at whose expense the expedition was despatched and is now maintained?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

No, Sir; I do not think it necessary to lay any further Papers on this matter before the House. In the first instance, when the Marines were sent to Skye in the vessels it was thought advisable to explain the circumstances to the House; but since then it has been a very ordinary case, such as has occurred from time to time in this country where the police required the support of the military in a riot, and that has been accorded as the usual practice when the occasion required, and I do not think it is at all necessary that further Papers be tabled on the subject.

DR. CAMERON

What was the expense of the expedition?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

In regard to the expense, as a general rule, any expense beyond the regular expense of the military would be provided by the Local Authority of the town. That rule will certainly be acted upon in this case. I do not speak of the details, because I do not know exactly what they may be; but that principle will certainly be adhered to, just as it would be in the riots where the military would be called in to assist the police.

DR. CAMERON

intimated that on an early day he would ask when the Report of Sheriff Ivory to the Lord Advocate would be laid on the Table?

MR. GORST

asked whether the expense of the transport of the Marines would be defrayed by the Local Authority, or would fall upon the Consolidated Fund?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said, he would rather not answer that Question, as he really did not know all the details. If the hon. and learned Member would put the Question on the Paper the Lord Advocate, who was more familiar with the details, would, no doubt, give him a more satisfactory answer.

MR. MACFARLANE

asked if any outrage had taken place since the despatch of these forces which would justify any prosecution being instituted?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

requested the hon. Member to give Notice of the Question.