§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Sir, I wish to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which I have given him private Notice in respect to the proclamation of the Coolgreany meeting last Sunday. I wish to ask him, Whether the meeting was called by public placard inviting the farmers and labourers of Wicklow to meet together and show their allegiance to the National cause; also, whether the proclamation of the Lord Lieutenant alleged neither of the usual reasons for the suppression of the meeting—that a breach of the peace was apprehended, or that if the meeting was held, it would lead to the obstruction of the Sheriff; also, if he will tell the House the nature of the informations on which the meeting was proclaimed?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The meeting was proclaimed because the Government had reason to believe it was to be held for an illegal purpose. The hon. Member has not given me Notice of the Question he has asked. He simply asked the Question I have answered. If he wishes to ask for further information on the subject, I must ask him to put his Question on the Paper.