§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I have to apologise to the right hon. Gentleman for not having given longer notice of this Question, but it is a matter of urgency that this scandalous transaction should at once be brought under the notice of the House. I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that two Protestant missionaries have been sent to prison for a week in Sligo for street preaching, two Protestant magistrates on the Bench dissenting to the decision of the six Roman Catholics, who formed the majority; and, whether the Government will take any action to secure the release of these prisoners?
§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGH (Armagh, S.)said, that before the right hon. Gentleman answered that Question, he wished to ask him a Question of which he had given him private notice—namely, whether he was aware that on Friday last two of the preachers referred to arrived in Sligo from Dublin, and in company with about 50 police commenced to preach in front of the Town Hall in Sligo, thereby interfering with the free passage of persons desiring to enter and leave the Town Hall; whether he was aware that the librarian of the Free Public Library in the Town Hall and the caretaker of the Town Hall both swore at the trial that the action of 1045 the preachers occasioned obstruction to persons entering and leaving the Town Hall; whether the evidence was taken down in writing at the trial on Monday last; whether the right hon. Gentleman had read a copy of the evidence; whether he was aware that the District Inspector—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is going beyond the limits of a Question. He is practically making a speech by simply prefacing each sentence with the words "Is the right hon. Gentleman aware."
§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGHsaid, that he desired to ask the right hon. Gentleman, in conclusion, why it was that the police on the occasion referred to did not carry out the provisions of the 14 and 15 Vict. c. 92 sect. 14 sub-sections 1 and 2?
§ *MR. GERALD BALFOURThe decision of the magistrates was that the defendants should pay a fine of ten shillings each, or in default to be imprisoned for seven days. They refused to pay the fine, and went to gaol. I have been informed that proceedings are about to be instituted by the defendants in the Superior Court to have the decision of the magistrates reviewed. The only way in which the Executive could interfere would be through the exercise of the prerogative of Mercy. At the present stage, and on the facts before me, that course would not appear to be desirable.
§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGHasked why it was that the police did not enforce the law upon that occasion?
§ MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware, in connection with the cases of obstruction in Ireland, that the constabulary—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The right hon. Gentleman, as I understand, has given an answer that the matter is under judicial inquiry, and that therefore the subject is not a proper one for discussion. That is a conclusive answer.
§ MR. PATRICK M'HUGHsaid, that he begged to give notice that he should call attention to the matter on the Irish Estimates to-morrow.