HC Deb 24 April 1888 vol 325 cc320-1
MR. LALOR (Queen's Co., Leix)

said, that before he asked the Question which stood in his name, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he could account for the discrepancy between his statement in the House on the 19th instant, that Colonel Turner's order to charge the people was given in consequence of stone throwing, and Colonel Turner's denial now that he gave any such order at all? His Question on the Paper was, Whether, considering that Colonel Turner himself, in his evidence before the Court in Ennis on the 20th instant, has denied that he ordered any charge of either police or military on the occasion of the meeting on the 8th instant; and, considering that Sergeant Cronin, who was in the yard at the time of the charge on the people, has also stated in his evidence that "he saw no stones thrown from the building," he is prepared to give any further explanation to the House of the action of the police and military on that occasion?

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

With regard to the statement on the Paper, I see no reason to supplement the statement I made before. In regard to the Question of the hon. Gentleman, I am not aware that I made any such statement with regard to a charge. I do not believe I did. What I stated—and what I stated more than once—was that Colonel Turner ordered the police to clear the building by force. Whether I used the word charge or not I do not know; but I think I did not. I cannot answer for the military accuracy of every word I use.

MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

inquired, whether it was not a fact that, on the Motion for Adjournment on the 12th of April, the Chief Secretary distinctly stated in the House that Colonel Turner's orders to the police and military to "assault"—that was the exact expression—was in consequence of and after stone-throwing?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I believe that is what I did say.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

Is not that emphatically denied by Colonel Turner?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Not to my knowledge.

Subsequently,

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

May I ask the Chief Secretary, arising out of his previous answer, as he has denied to-night in the house that Colonel Turner ordered the charge of the police, and as Colonel Turner has himself denied that he ordered the charge, under these circumstances may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is any longer prepared, if so, how is he prepared, to justify the charge of the police on that occasion?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware that I used the word "charge" in reference to the police, and what they were ordered to do upon the occasion in question. In reply to another hon. Gentleman, I have already denied that I used the word "charge." I am speaking from recollection; but I believe he will not find that I made use of that term. It is possible I may inadvertently have used the word "storm;" but I think he will find that I did not use the word "charge."

MR. CLANCY

Considering that Colonel Turner has denied that he ordered any storming of the place either, how is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to justify the storming of the place under the circumstances?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!