§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any regulations exist respecting the tearing down of placards announcing public meetings by the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, if so, whether he will lay a Copy of such Regulations upon the Table; and, with whom rests the decision as to the presumed illegality of such placards?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said, it was the duty of the police to remove all placards which might have a tendency to cause a breach of the public peace. Their action, in all such cases, must, to a great extent, depend upon the local circumstances, or the necessity of the time; and for those matters, the officer under whose orders they were was responsible.
§ MR. J. E. ELLISAre there any written instructions to the police on the subject; or am I to understand that, in the opinion of the Government, each individual policeman acts on his own discretion?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANThe constables act under written instructions, one of which is, that any placards calculated to promote a breach of the peace are to be removed, and they may remove them.
§ MR. J. E. ELLISWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, on behalf of the Government, lay these written instructions on the Table of the House?
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I wish to ask the right hon. and gallant Gen- 1887 tleman if, in any case, the constable tears down a placard which is proved to be legal, how is the responsibility of the constable or other officer to be made liable?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANIn the same manner as if he exceeded his duty in any other respect.