§ *MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONI be to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lore Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can give any information as to the proceedings in Downpatrick on Tuesday, the 5th inst. when there was rejoicing on the part of the loyalists in consequence of the entry of Lord Roberts into Pretoria; whether he is aware that the procession of persons bearing the Union Jack was prevented 916 by the police from going, as usual on such occasions, up Irish Street, one of the principal streets of the town; and that loyalists were batoned by the police, and ordered on recent occasions to stop singing ''God Save the Queen"; and whether he will cause a public sworn inquiry to be instituted into the whole conduct of the public and the police in Downpatrick on Pretoria Day.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURIt is the fact that the police at Downpatrick prevented the loyalist procession on the occasion mentioned from marching through Irish Street, but it is not true to say that it is usual on such occasions for processions to pass along this street. On the contrary, it has been the ordinary practice, for a number of years, to prevent them from doing so, and the arrangement has been acquiesced in by the leaders of the Orangemen. Loyalists have not been ordered, as alleged, to stop singing "God Save the Queen," and the police did not use their batons on the 5th inst. until their cordon had been broken and they had been struck with sticks and flagpoles. The police are satisfied that in acting as they did on the night of the 5th inst. a a very serious conflict between the opposite parties was averted. Proceedings are about to be instituted against a number of persons for assaults on the police arising out of the disturbances, and all the facts will doubtless be fully investigated by the magistrates.
§ *MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman grant a public sworn inquiry?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURI see no reason for it, at any rate until the magisterial investigation is completed.