§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he has observed that the Irish Executive claim the right to force a shorthand reporter through the crowd attending a meeting, in order to place him near enough to the speakers to take down their speeches; whether the same right is claimed by the Executive in regard to meetings held in Great Britain; and, whether, if so, the right is derived from Statute or from Common Law?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)I am not aware that any special right is claimed by the Irish Executive; but in Ireland, as in England, it is the duty of the Executive to obtain, if necessary, accurate information as to speeches made at meetings, and, if it is considered necessary in the interests of law and order, reporters are sent to meetings both in England and Ireland alike. There is no statute dealing specifically with the matter.
§ MR. MARUM (Kilkenny, N.)Does the hon. and learned Gentleman mean without any sworn information?
§ SIR RICHARD WEBSTERI can only repeat that it is at the discretion, as it is the duty, of the Executive, to obtain accurate information with regard to the speeches made at public meetings.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)The hon. and learned Attorney General has not answered the Question. It was whether, when a constable arrived late, he had a right to force his way through the meeting vi et armis?
§ SIR RICHARD WEBSTERI think the hon. Member for East Mayo can scarcely have listened to my answer. I stated that I was not aware of any special right claimed by the Irish Executive.