§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Wallace MacHardy has yet presented his Report upon the Belfast Riots; and whether, if not, any inquiry has been made of him as to the cause of the prolonged delay and the date when his Report will probably be ready?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I have received a letter from Mr. Wallace MacHardy in which he informs me that his time for some time past has been so completely taken up in connection with the Lanarkshire riots, he being the Chief Constable of Lanarkshire, that he has been unable to complete his Report, but he promises to forward it as soon as possible. [Laughter from the Irish Benches".] I do not know why hon. Members laugh at that. I should think that the riots which have occurred in Lanarkshire must be pretty serious work for the Chief Constable of that county. However, I can assure the hon. Member for West Belfast that the Report of the other four Commissioners has been very carefully considered by the Government, and particularly with regard to those administrative points, which, however, cannot be finally decided until we have received Mr. MacHardy's Report.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)asked, had the evidence taken at the Commission been published?
§ MR. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, notwithstanding the Lanarkshire riots, Mr. MacHardy has found time to go to Belfast and hold communication with persons not examined before the Commission?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI suppose he considered he has not sufficient evidence.