§ MR. HENRY J. WILSON (York, W. R., Holmfirth)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now aware that, after Deputy Divisional Commissioner Allan Cameron and District Inspector Concannon had ascertained, on the morning of Sunday the 17th of March, that the hon. Member for Holmfirth did not intend to address any meeting in the Gweedore district, a detective followed him during the afternoon; that he and his wife were closely watched, by a constable in uniform, on Sunday night, while walking up and down in front of M'Bride's Hotel; that he was followed, on Monday 18th March, from Middletown Barrack to Derrybeg Chapel by armed constables on a car; that the wife of John M'Cafferty, a car driver, was roused up at night, on Tuesday the 19th of March, by Head Constable Mahony, who desired to ascertain where the hon. Member for Holmfirth had gone, and when he would return; and on what authority it was stated that "as soon as it was ascertained who he was, and that he had apparently no intention of addressing any such meeting, no police supervision was exercised?"
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe local Constabulary Authorities report that they have made careful inquiry relative to the charges the hon. Member makes against the police, and find that he labours altogether under a misapprehension. It is not the case that he was followed by a detective on Sunday afternoon, March 17. The detectives obeyed the positive orders 357 which they had received from the District Inspector, that they should not watch the hon. Member after he had given the assurance that he would not hold a meeting. It is also not the case that either he or his wife was watched on that night by a constable in uniform. It is true that the police patrol mentioned proceeded on duty on Monday, the 18th of March, but it is not the case that it was following the hon. Member, the fact of its having proceeded along the same road having no reference to him. It is not a fact that Mrs. M'Cafferty was aroused at night on the 19th to ascertain where the hon. Member had gone. Her house, with a number of others, was searched for persons believed to be concerned in the murder of District Inspector Martin. The hon. Member's name was neither mentioned, nor was any reference whatever made to him.
§ MR. H. J. WILSONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary if he will afford me any kind of means of testing the reliability of the utterly erroneous statement he has read? (Cries of "Order.")
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)My hon. Friend the Member for Holmfirth (Mr. H. J. Wilson) is not an Irish but an English Member; and will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is he came to be deprived of his right, as a citizen, to address a public meeting? Did the police supply police passes, in order to give him facility of movement?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy answer to the last question is in the negative. In regard to the other question, I presume the authorities were of opinion that a meeting of the kind indicated at that place and particular time might lead to a breach of the peace.