HC Deb 05 March 1889 vol 333 cc970-1
MR. CONYBEARE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a notice to the following effect is posted up in the waiting room at the office of the solicitor of the Times newspaper:— To Members of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Members of the above force will please enter their names in the book kept in the office for that purpose. Signed (by Order), F. B. LOPDELL, County Inspector. By whose authority was the said inspector permitted to post such a notice in the office of a private firm of solicitors; and, whether he will cause an authenticated copy of such book, containing the names of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have frequented Mr. Soames' chambers, to be placed upon the Table?

* MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am informed that it is the case that County Inspector Lopdell, who is the senior officer in charge of the members of the Constabulary Force in London, posted the notice referred to. He did so with a view to secure an efficient disciplinary supervision over the men, who would, as a matter of course, have to report their presence to the solicitors for the party at whose instance they were subpœnaed.

MR. CONYBEARE

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph in my Question.

MR. BALFOUR

No, Sir; I will not do as is asked.