HC Deb 25 June 1901 vol 95 cc1414-5
MR. O'DOWD (Sligo, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Charles Phibbs, of Doobeg House, county of Sligo, has been under military and police protection during many periods between the years 1881 and 1893; whether he was in the habit of supplying cars for the conveyance of his own escort; and, if so, what has been the amount paid him on account of car hire for these years; and from what source has this amount been drawn.

MR. WYNDHAM

I will at the same time reply to the similar question of my hon. and gallant friend the Member for East Antrim. Mr. Phibbs received special police protection from 1880 to 1892. It does not appear that he was afforded military protection. The conveyance of his police escort was necessary from time to time; on such occasions his vehicles were employed as being the most suitable, and payment was made to Mr. Phibbs for their hire. The amount so paid cannot be ascertained at such short notice. The payments were made from the Constabulary Vote. He has not been required to defray any portion of the cost of his protection.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to the amount paid yearly to Mr. Phibbs for the use of his own vehicle?

MR. WYNDHAM

I should like to have longer notice.

COLONEL M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Charles Phibbs, of Doobeg House, county Sligo, who has been under military and police protection during many periods between the years 1881 and 1893, will be called upon to pay any share of the expense incurred for this protection; and whether he is aware that such protection has been from time to time necessitated by his being denounced by the Land and Irish National Leagues in the past and by the United Irish League at the present time.

MR. O'DOWD

I wish to ask, Mr. Speaker, if it is competent for an hon. Member to copy almost verbatim a question of which another Member has given notice.

*MR. SPEAKER

The question seems to be different in some respects.

MR. WYNDHAM

I can only repeat to the hon. and gallant Member the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for South Sligo.

COLONEL M'CALMONT

Was not this man held up to odium at the instance of the League?

MR. WYNDHAM

I should say, generally, yes, because of resolutions purporting to come from local branches.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman particularise the kind of risk this man has been exposed to?

[No answer was returned.]