HC Deb 13 April 1893 vol 11 cc206-7
COLONEL WARING (Down, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the control of the Army would be in the hands of the Lord Lieutenant, acting under the advice of the Irish Cabinet; and whether the position of the troops will remain as at present under the Commander-in-Chief taking his orders from the Queen, acting on the advice of Ministers responsible to the Imperial Parliament?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The position will remain as at present, subject to the power of the Lord Lieutenant to call on the troops to aid the civil power.

MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

I should like to ask another question, and it is this: Whether, whatever may be the control of the Army, it would be the duty of the Army in Ireland, after Home Rule just the same as before, to put down any rising in arms, no matter whom the rioters may be, or by whom commanded?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

That is so.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)

And the judge of that would be the Lord Lieutenant acting on the advice of his Irish Minister?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The right hon. Gentleman had better put the question down on the Paper. As I said the other day, the question of the relations between the civil and the military powers in the suppression of riots is rather delicate, and it is only right that he should give notice.

COLONEL WARING

I submit that the question is on the Paper in my question.