§ MR. HOOPER (Cork, S. E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether an inquiry is now proceeding at Cork as to the conduct of certain officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the occasion of the shooting of several persons at Mitchelstown in September last; and, whether it is an invariable custom that representatives of the public Press are admitted to such police inquiries under certain defined conditions; and, if so, why this custom has not been adhered to in this case?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: A Departmental inquiry is now being held in Cork into the conduct of members of the Constabulary on the occasion of the riot and inquest at Mitchelstown. Departmental inquiries are throughout the entire Public Service regarded as of a private nature, and representatives of the public Press are never admitted. Their proceedings are purely of a preliminary nature, with a view to ascertain whether further action is called for.