HC Deb 13 March 1902 vol 104 c1285
MR. CREAN (Cork Co., S.E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that two privates of the 4th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, stationed at Kinsale, were arrested by the police on the 10th February last, having been caught in the act of breaking the public gas lamps; that the head constable arranged with the secretary of the gas company to attend at the following Petty Sessions Court to give evidence of the practice of the breaking of lamps since the arrival of this regiment in the town; and that the secretary of the gas company was informed by the head constable that the prosecution was not to be proceeded with, and was handed 3s. 8d., the value of the breakage, by the two men who had been summoned by the police; and can he explain why the prosecution was abandoned by the police, and by whose authority.

MR. WYNDHAM

The police reported this occurrence to the gas company who declined to prosecute. The value of the breakage was remitted to the company by the officer in charge of the detachment. The police did not institute proceedings, consequently they abandoned none.

MR. CREAN

asked who induced the secretary to the company not to prosecute.

MR. WYNDHAM

There was only one lamp broken.

MR. CREAN

If representations as to the conduct of the troops are made by respectable inhabitants—

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member cannot debate the question.

MR. CREAN

I will send the correspondence to the right hon. Gentleman to prove that the statements I have made are correct.