HC Deb 18 March 1887 vol 312 cc722-3
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that in every Constabulary barrack, or in every district barrack, throughout Ireland, there is a policeman appointed to keep, in a diary supplied for the purpose, a note of the movements of certain persons in that particular district; who-the the persons so kept under police supervision consist of Roman Catholic clergymen, and those persons in the district who in any special way assist in the advancement of the Irish National movement; whether the list of names of persons so watched was made up from the Return furnished from the various police stations, in pursuance of a Circular issued in November, 1885, and a copy of which appeared in United Ireland of the 20th of November last; whether this list of names was furnished to each barrack from the office of the Divisional Magistrate within whose division such barrack is situate; whether the Return required by this Circular included as directed men who were likely to take a leading part in the commission of outrage, and also Roman Catholic clergymen, and other persons of note, who take a leading part in the National movement, and from their position and status have influence over the people; whether instructions have been given to the diarist to make an entry of the persons with whom any prominent Nationalist visiting the district may happen to call or associate; and, whether promotion or reward has been given to some of the policemen so employed, for the manner in which they had executed their duty in this regard?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The instructions issued to the police in Ireland are confidential, and I cannot undertake to communicate them to the House. But I may state generally, in answer to the hon. Member, that the police are directed to watch any person whoso movements are thought likely to be injurious to the peace and good order of their districts.

MR. M'CARTAN

pointed out that the right hon. Gentleman had not answered the part of the Question which asked if the police were not directed to watch "Roman Catholic clergymen and other persons of note? "

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is no exception to the general rule I have laid down in favour of cither clergymen or laymen.

MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)

asked, whether the police were watching certain people at Derry who threatened that unless they got reductions of rent they would form an Association—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!