§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, Whether it was a fact that the workmen engaged at Sir William Ewart's mill assaulted the funeral procession of a priest in Belfast yesterday; whether an attempt was made to upset the hearse; whether they threw stones; and, finally, whether the crowd had to be dispersed by the police; whether in view of these occurrences, and the Report made by the Committee which inquired into the Belfast riots, and of the amendments made by the Select Committee when passing the Municipal Franchise (Belfast) Bill, he proposed to take any steps to promote legislation for the better government of Belfast?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)I have telegraphed for a full report as to the truth of the allegations made in the hon. Member's Question, which was only received at the Irish Office at 3.40 this afternoon. Since I came to the House I have recived the following telegram from the Town Inspector of Belfast: —
Referring to the alleged attack upon funeral procession published in The Freeman's Journal to-day, full report goes by post. Newspaper report is greatly exaggerated.I do not consider, having regard to the peaceable condition of Belfast and its neighbourhood, one isolated outrage would in itself be sufficient to induce the Government to introduce legislation of the nature contemplated by the hon. Gentleman in the present Session.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. M'CARTANsaid, with reference to the exaggerated case in Belfast to 1381 which reference had been made, he wished to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he was aware that a similar outrage was perpetrated last year at the very same place; and whether, under those circumstances, he does not consider that some legislation for the preservation of the peace of that town was required?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI have no information, on the subject.