§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork Co., N.E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to an impending prosecution, at the instance of the police, of some amateur actors, who, having taken part in a dramatic performance held in Kildorrery, county Cork, in commemoration of the Centenary of'98, and being desirous of securing some photographic groups of scenes in the performance, were interrupted by some members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who seized the swords with which some of the players were provided, and intimated that those owning them would be prosecuted for possessing arms without a licence, and that explanations would be required from those of the party wearing military uniforms; and if he will inquire into these proceedings on the part of the police, with a view to their discontinuance?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe facts are substantially as stated. The party of amateur actors, some of them wearing military uniform and two carrying swords, for which they had no arms licence, were found on licensed premises on Sunday, the 17th inst., and the police were bound, therefore, to satisfy themselves that no breach of the Licensing Acts was committed or intended. The swords, which were properly seized by the police, will be returned, and no prosecutions are contemplated as suggested in the Question.