§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on a recent occasion, when the Rev. Father Humphrys, Mr. Sheehy, M.P., and Mr. Cullinane, P.L.G., were standing talking to one another in the streets of Tipperary, two police constables stood immediately behind them and took down their conversation, and that, when Father Humphrys complained, one of the policemen left but the other refused to leave; whether he is also aware that, when Father Humphrys stood speaking with Mr. Gill, architect, of New Tipperary, a constable ordered them to "move on," and, on their refusing, stood about three feet off, listening to their conversation; if he can state what the constable's name was; whether Father Humphrys has complained of insulting conduct on the part of the constabulary, as likely to lead to a breach of the peace, and was told by Inspector Gamble that it was the duty of a constable (who gave his name as Wilson Williams, of the Tipperary Depôt) to follow the rev. gentleman; and whether he will inquire into the matters complained of?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that it is the case that the rev. gentleman in question is closely watched by the police in consequence of the loading part he is taking in endeavouring to promote the boycott- 1256 ing of tenants who have paid their rents on the Smith-Barry Estate. On the occasion referred to in the second paragraph, the constable states that he was engaged in requiring a commercial traveller to remove some baggage which was creating a street obstruction, and that he was not aware of the rev. gentleman's presence until accosted by him. The constable's name was Patrick Leonard. The rev. gentleman did not complain of any insulting conduct on the part of the police. He did complain that he was being watched. The District Inspector did reply that the "constable was only obeying orders."
§ MR. SCHWANNIs it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to arrest Father Humphrys under the Statute of Edward III.?
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)Did one of the constables decline to state where he was stationed, and did the same constable on three occasions give a different name? Did he not further state that he came from the depot, meaning the headquarters at Dublin? Did this constable, whose name is Wilson Williams, follow Father Humphrys about whistling, and was it necessary to remonstrate with him twice before he ceased?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Member must give notice of those questions.
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Having regard to the fact that the constable, whoso conduct is impugned, either refused to give his name or gave a false name, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the proposal repeatedly made from these Benches that, as the uniform of the Irish Constabulary precludes identification, the men should be numbered like the Dublin and Belfast police and the police here?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWith regard to the numbering of the Irish Constabulary, that is a question which has been often debated in this House, and it is impossible that within the limits of an answer to the hon. Gentleman's question I could cover the whole ground.
§ MR. MACNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer, yes or no, whether these men are unnumbered in order to avoid identification?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo.