HC Deb 26 April 1888 vol 325 cc579-80
MR. O'HANLON (Cavan, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Whether two policemen were charged with having broken the law and refusing to give their names when asked, at Letterkenny, on the 18th instant; whether Mr. Smith, who seemed to be in charge of the forces of the Crown, also refused to give his Christian name, after having been told such was needed to assist in the prosecution of the two policemen; and, whether he will state the grounds of Smith's refusal to furnish the prosecutors with his Christian name? In putting the Question, the hon. Member complained that half of the Question of which he had given Notice was omitted from the Paper; and desired to know whether the Chief Secretary was prepared to answer the full Question or not?

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

I am afraid I have no cognizance of the part of the Question which has been left out of the Paper, nor can I answer a Question of which I do not know the exact terms.

MR. O'HANLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the remaining part?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

With regard to the Question upon the Paper, the Inspector General of Constabulary reports that on the occasion in question a disorderly crowd, headed by a band, approached the police, who were drawn across the street to prevent bands from playing in proximity to the Letterkenny Court House, where a trial was proceeding. The names of the two policemen referred to were refused, as no charge was preferred against them. The names were subsequently given by direction of the County Inspector. They were charged with assault for having prevented their ranks from being broken through. Mr. Smith, Resident Magistrate, was in charge of the police. He was asked whether he had witnessed the alleged assault? He replied he had not seen any person assaulted. He mentioned who he was; that he was in charge of the police; and that any communication addressed to him at Letter- kenny would be delivered to him, and that he saw no necessity to give his Christian name.

MR. O'HANLON

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us now what Mr. Smith's Christian name really is?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not know; but I understand he is the only Resident Magistrate of the name of Smith in Ireland, and he lives at Letterkenny.

MR. O'HANLON

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the reason for Mr. Smith's refusing his Christian name; and is it legal for any person to address a gentleman without his Christian name?

[No reply.]