§
On the Motion—
That this House do now adjourn,
§ MR. DILLONOn the Motion for the adjournment, I desire to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any further information as to the state of affairs in Belfast. We shall have no opportunity of bringing the matter to the notice of the right honourable Gentleman before Monday, and I would appeal to the Chief Secretary to give us some assurance that, at any cost of force, steps will be taken to protect these unhappy people from a renewal of the savage attacks to which they have been subjected. I would ask the right honourable Gentleman to let us know now the latest reports he has received, and, further, that he will require next week the most detailed statements —not from the magistrates, but from his own officials—as to the exact incidents of the disturbances that have taken place, and that he will issue instructions that precautions, as elaborate as may be necessary, shall be immediately taken to ensure absolute liberty and protection from injury, and that these savage attacks shall be put a stop to at any cost.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI am glad of the opportunity of informing the honourable Member that according to the last information I have the state of the city of Belfast is now one of quiet. I have the following Report from the Inspector General early this afternoon—
A Roman Catholic workman in Workman and Clarke's shipyard alleged last night that out of 700 working in that yard and Queen's Island only four men remained at work, the rest having left through fear of assault. District inspectors have inquired at yards this morning, and were informed that Workman and Clarke's yard 300 or 400 Catholics at work to-day, and no one has molested them, but a few Catholics stated to the manager that they were ill-treated, and that they left off work. He said he would employ them when they came back after the excitement is over. Police have heard that three men were assaulted yesterday. They will not take any proceedings. As to Harland and Wolff's, Catholics have been molested; some have stopped away through fear until the excitement subsides. A number still continue at work.1444 The Inspector General later on wires from Belfast:—Since last wire I have learned that one of the three Catholics assaulted at Workman and Clarke's had his nose broken, and he was severely kicked. The other two were struck and kicked, but they were not seriously injured. None of their assailants are known at rope works and mills. Some Catholic girls were mobbed at dinner hour and closing hour yesterday, but the police prevented any assault being committed.The honourable Member may rest assured that everything that can be done to protect the people will be done. But, of course, when Belfast is in such an excited condition it is absolutely impossible to take such precautions as will render the recurrence of these incidents absolutely impossible.
§ MR. DILLONMay I be permitted to make one suggestion? On a previous occasion, when Belfast was in a very disturbed condition, Mr. Wolff, who was then a Member of this House, went across to Belfast and exercised his influence to bring about a condition of peace. I think that, in view of the enormous gravity of the situation, the right honourable Gentleman might communicate with the honourable Member for Belfast and induce him to do everything in his power on the present occasion. I need hardly say what great importance we attach to this matter. One of the most terrible riots that have occurred in Belfast originated in the murder of a Catholic workman at Messrs. Harland and Wolff's. An incident of that kind might set the whole town ablaze again. As the police cannot take full precautions inside the works, I hope the Government will communicate with the managers and induce them to exercise their influence, which, of course, in their works would be overwhelming.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have absolutely no power over the works of Messrs. Harland and Wolff or any other works, but I have not the slightest doubt that the managers of the works are exercising all the influence they have.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right honourable Gentleman kindly communicate with the honourable Member for Belfast?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe honourable Member may rest assured that I shall certainly do whatever I can.
§ House adjourned at 12.20.