CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Lord Aberdeen performed the opening ceremony of the Munster-Connaught Exhibition, at which, by special resolution, it had been decided that the British flag should be excluded from the decoration of the exhibition premises, although many flags, including those of other nations, were freely displayed; whether His Excellency's attention was drawn to this resolution or to the absence of the British flag before he performed the opening ceremony; and, if so, whether his presence at the exhibition under these circumstances received the sanction of His Majesty's Ministers.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, may I ask him what the British flag has to do with an Irish exhibition?
MR. BRYCEI do not suppose the hon. Member requires an Answer to a Question of so general a character. I have no information upon the subject of this Question. Matters relating to the personal action of the Lord-Lieutenant, especially on these ceremonial occasions, lie entirely outside my official sphere.
CAPTAIN CRAIGAre we to understand that the Lord-Lieutenant knew nothing whatever about this insult to the British flag, and, if the Government does know of the insult, have they connived at it, and are they satisfied that proper action was taken by the Lord-Lieutenant?
CAPTAIN CRAIGAre we to understand that this visit of the Lord-Lieutenant was in his official capacity, or a purely personal one, and is there any precedent in 1127 the remaining part of the British Empire for an official——
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The right hon. Gentleman has said that he has no knowledge of this.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The right hon. Gentleman says he has no knowledge.