§ MR. LEWISasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that a large number of so called "Nationalists" in the gallery of the Opera House, Londonderry, on the night of the 27th April last, during the performance of a pan tomime, when the portraits of Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales were exhibited, indulged in cheers for the Mahdi, groans for the Queen, and cries of "To—with Queen and Con stitution;" whether these riotous proceedings lasted three-quarters of an hour, during which time drawn knives were thrown at the defenceless actors, mostly women, on the stage, the benches of the gallery broken up and one hurled into the pit, forty feet below, to the imminent danger of many lives; and after wards the same mob proceeded into the street, broke windows, and assaulted persons who were known to be Loyalists or Protestants; whether it is a fact that no police were present or attempted to quell the riot; and, whether any stops have since been taken by the police to prosecute the offenders; and, if not, on what grounds?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am informed that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph of this Question, except with reference to the cries referred to. It is alleged that two open penknives were thrown on the stage, and a board which formed a seat in the gallery was undoubtedly thrown into the pit; but the occupants had left at the time. No disturbance was anticipated, and no police were on duty in the theatre. A policeman, who was on leave, was present, and as soon as the disturbance began he ran for assistance to the Constabulary barracks, and returned with a party in a quarter of an hour; but by this time the affair was over, and the people had dispersed. So far no one has been identified.