HC Deb 20 July 1896 vol 43 c140
MR. MCCARTAN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the public meeting recently held in Belfast, under the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor, to take steps to prevent by force if necessary the threatened attempt to invade the rights of the public to free access to the Giant's Causeway; and, whether he will refuse to give the assistance of the constabulary to the syndicate in their efforts to convert into private property the rights of way so long used by the public?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have seen a report of the proceedings at the meeting referred to. The syndicate would not be entitled to demand, or to receive, the assistance of the constabulary in any steps which they may take in order to assert rights which that body may consider it possesses.