§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the fact that, on the 21st April last, when Father Humphry stood talking to Mr. Gill, of Nenagh (in streets of New Tipperary), the policeman, who is alleged to have told them rudely to "move on," and was asked his name, gave the name of Moran, though his true name is Leonard; did he refuse to say where he was stationed, and why; what are the regulations of the Force as to giving their name and address when asked; is it the fact that, on the 22nd April, a policeman followed Father Humphry and whistled after him in an insulting manner, and refused to give his name, but on another occasion gave it as Wilson Williams, though in a prosecution in Court swore his name was William Welsh; has the duty been especially assigned to this constable, William Welsh, to walk by Father Humphry's side and keep step with him, whilst another constable walks a few feet behind keeping step with them; and, what is the name of the second constable?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROn April 22nd Constable Leonard told the rev. gentleman to move away, he having spoken to the constable in an insulting manner 1583 when he was in the discharge of his duty. The clergyman did not ask the constable for his name, nor did the latter give a false name, nor refuse to state where he was stationed. There is no rule requiring a constable to give his name and address when asked, but it is customary to do so when a reasonable request is made for it. The statement in paragraph 4 of the question is not a fact. On the 21st April Constable Wilson was spoken to by Father Humphry for, as alleged, whistling after him, and on that occasion when the rev. gentleman asked him for his name he declined to give it, stating that the allegation was not the case. On that occasion the constable was engaged on duty unconnected with the rev. gentleman. On another occasion when he was on engaged on duty connected with the rev. gentleman he gave his proper name. He never swore in any Court that his name was Walsh. The rev. gentleman was watched by the police because he was believed to be engaged in promoting the illegal practice of boycotting in Tipperary. The constable referred to in the last paragraph appeared to be Dempsey.
§ MR. SCHWANNIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to assert that Father Humphry is taking active steps to incite the tenants against the payment of rent in Ireland?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe rev. gentleman has written a letter to the papers admitting it.
§ *MR. H. J. WILSON (York, W.R,) HolmfirthIf a constable refuses to give his name, will steps be taken to require him to do so?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI imagine that if a case were brought before the Police Authorities, in which a constable refused to give his name when asked to do so, under reasonable circumstances, they would deal with it.
§ MR. E. HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consent to the Irish Constabulary being numbered as they are in Belfast and Dublin?MB. A. J. BALFOUR: A similar question was put to me the other day, and I said the matter had often come on for discussion in this House without a decision being arrived at. It is impossible to discuss it now at question time.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORIf Father Humphry is engaged in illegal proceedings, why has he not been prosecuted?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURFather Humphry will, no doubt, be prosecuted if sufficient evidence is laid before the Attorney General.
§ MR. SCHWANNThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the first para-praph of my question.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that on the 22nd, not 21st, April, the constable concerned was Constable Leonard, who, as I have already stated, was not asked his name. On 24th April Constable Moran was asked his name and gave it. He does not appear to have been asked his name on the 21st or 22nd April.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORI beg to give notice that in the course of the evening I will call attsntion to the whole of these proceedings.