§ MR. E. F. V. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that party riots, in which the Orangemen were in each case the aggressors, have recently taken place at Caledon, Coagh, Coalisland, Lurgan, Portadown, and other places in Ulster; whether he is aware that in many cases the police and magistrates have taken insufficient means to protect the victims of outrage; and that at Caledon an attempt was made to attack a mill in which Catholics are employed; and what steps will be taken to prosecute those who have incited to this and similar outrages?
§ *THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. L. JACKSON, Leeds, N.)The Constabulary authorities report that party disturbances have recently occurred at Caledon, Coal-island, Portadown, and Stewartstown; but that there are no places in which insufficient means were taken by the police and magistrates to prevent anticipated disturbances or protect victims of outrage, nor was any attempt made to attack a mill at Caledon. I have no information as to which side is considered the aggressors, but inquiries are proceeding as regards the disturbances, and three prosecutions have already been directed against the principal parties concerned.
§ MR. KNOXI was unable to hear the whole of the right hon. Gentleman's answer; but may I ask him whether any steps have been taken against those who have in public speeches endeavoured to raise a feeling against the employment of Catholic workmen?
§ *MR. JACKSONI have no information suggesting that any such speeches were made.
§ MR. KNOXHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of a speech alleged to have been delivered at Caledon by the hon. Member for South Tyrone, in whose constituency that place is, in which it was said that on the passing of a Home Rule Bill not a single Catholic would be employed in a mill in the whole of Ulster?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to say that I made no such statement.