§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, In virtue of what authority the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland prohibited the holding of the meeting of tenant farmers and labourers of the counties of Wicklow and Wexford, appointed to be held on Sunday last at Coolgreany, County Wexford, to advance the interest of the Irish National Cause; and, if he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the Information referred to in the Proclamation of the Lord Lieutenant?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I am advised that the Lord Lieutenant has authority at common law to proclaim a meeting believed to be for an illegal purpose. I cannot undertake to lay upon the Table a Copy of the information referred to.
§ MR. SEXTONI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman is there any decision under the common law giving the Lord Lieutenant that power; and whether, if the Government hold they are entitled to proclaim meetings called for a perfectly legal object, they are justified in keeping back the information on which they act?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI have already answered the question of the hon. Gentleman.