HC Deb 21 June 1901 vol 95 cc1076-7
MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if the owners of the building in Belfast on which the street preacher Trew delivered the speeches inciting to riot requested the Government to prevent these speeches being delivered.

MR. WYNDHAM

I presume the hon. Member refers to the steps of the Custom House in Belfast, from which many of these speeches have been delivered. The control of this building is vested in the Board of Works, and the steps have also been used for many years as a platform by persons representing various sects and religious denominations. The expediency of enclosing the steps so as to exclude the public is doubtful.

DR. AMBROSE

Have these steps ever been used by Roman Catholic preachers?

[No answer was returned.]

MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

was putting a question about the Dublin Custom House steps when he was stopped by the Speaker.