§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)To ask the Lord-Advocate whether his attention has been called to disturbances of a Party character which occurred in the Partick district of Glasgow on July 1st, due to an Orange band parading the district playing Party tunes; whether he is aware that the shopkeepers in the vicinity were compelled to close their premises, and that two young girls had to be removed to the hospital suffering from serious injuries; and will he say whether any of the bandsmen were arrested, and, if not, why this step was not taken; and whether, in view of the proposal to hold Orange demonstrations in Glasgow on July 12th, precautions 64 will be taken to protect the lives and property of Catholics in those districts through which the demonstrators will pass.
(Answered by Mr. Scott Dickson.) My attention has been called to the disturbances referred to. I am informed that one shop door was closed for a few minutes, and one girl suffering from a scalp wound was taken to the infirmary where the wound was dressed; the girl was then sent home. The bandsmen, were not in uniform and none were arrested, as they broke up and mixed with the crowd. The local authorities are fully aware of the circumstances, and I have no doubt that all proper precautions-will be taken by them.