§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, By whom the Irish Government wore induced to send a Divisional Magistrate, a Resident Magistrate, a County Inspector, a number of other Inspectors, and a force of about 100 constables, to Randalstown, County Antrim, on St. Patrick's Day; and, from what fund the cost of the exhibition will be defrayed?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Government received information that a Roman Catholic procession was intended to march into Randalstown through the Protestant quarters, and that an adequate police force would be required. The cost would be defrayed by the Constabulary Vote; but about £19 would eventually fall on the county in respect of such men as were drafted from other counties.
§ MR. SEXTONasked, what steps the Government intended to take with regard to the gentlemen who gave them this false and misleading information on the subject?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he had no ground for believing the report was false. On the contrary, he believed the procession actually was intended.