SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BART-LETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the report in The Times 338 of 29th April of an attack upon a clergy-man, from which it appeals that—
The Rev. F. B. Walsh attended an anti-Home Rule meeting at the Town Hall. Bermondsey, but took no part in the proceedings. After the meeting Mr. Walsh was proceeding in the direction of his home, St. Anne's Vicarage. He was followed by a mob, who shouted, Here is one of the d—d lot, let him have it.' The crowd of roughs closed upon him and storied him. Mr. Walsh was most severely and cruelly assaulted, and was rescued by two policemen and conveyed to the house of the nearest surgeon where the wounds were dressed and sewn up Mr. Walsh is seriously ill and in bed;what, steps are being taken to discover the perpetrators of this assault; and whether any reward has been offered for their discovery?
§ MR. ASQUITHYes: my attention has been called to the report referred to by the hon. Member. The facts as stated in the first paragraph of the question are considerably exaggerated. The statement made by the rev. gentleman to the police shows that when about halfway down Alscot Road something struck him on the head, and on his turning round he was struck on the eye, he believes by a stone. Two police officers came up and assisted him, but there was nothing that in any way could be termed a rescue, as he had not noticed that he was followed, and was not surrounded, nor was anyone near him. He has no idea by whom the stone was thrown, and can give no further information concerning the occurrence. Every endeavour has been made by the police to discover the offender. It is not the practice for the police to offer rewards in such cases.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWhich of the facts are exaggerated? I am informed by the relatives of the rev. gentleman that Mr. Walsh had been very seriously injured and is still confined to the house.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe extent of the exaggeration will be found by comparing the statements in the first paragraph of the question with those I have just read.