HC Deb 30 November 1893 vol 19 cc100-1
MR. M. AUSTIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his notice that, at a collection made outside the chapel gates in Newcastle West, on Sunday the 26th instant, on behalf of the evicted tenants of Ireland, two policemen interfered with the collection; and whether the Executive will take steps to prevent interference by the Constabulary with a legal right?

MR. ASQUITH

The Chief Secretary is informed that the police in no way interfered with the collection referred to. The constables passed the chapel gates, outside which the collectors were standing, at intervals of about half an hour; they were engaged at the time on ordinary town patrol duty, and it frequently happens that the Sunday part of passes the church at the same hour when no such collection is being made.

MR. M. AUSTIN

Then by whose directions did the police stand close to the collecting table?

MR. ASQUITH

I am not aware that they did so.

MR. SEXTON

I should be very glad if the right hon. Gentleman can see his way to make use of such language to the police as will inform them that they are not entitled to interfere either by standing close to the table, or otherwise acting as to cause annoyance and embarrassment both to the collectors of, and contributors to, a perfectly legal fund.

Later—

MR. SEXTON (addressing the Prime Minister)

said: It has pleased the Home Secretary not to answer me, so I again venture, in the presence of the head of the Government, to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any objection to discharging what I humbly think is his manifest duty—namely, to instruct the police that they are not entitled to interfere in any way with the public collection of funds in aid of the evicted tenants in Ireland?

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

I have no cognisance of this matter, and must ask for notice.

MR. SEXTON

Monday.