§ MR. CURRAN (Durham, Jarrow)asked the Attorney-General for Ireland, in the absence of the Chief Secretary, whether in view of the complete breakdown of the negotiations to bring about an amicable settlement of the Belfast labour disputes, the Government would, in the interests of industrial peace, bring pressure to bear on the employers to accept the arbitration of the Board of Trade, and would take steps to prevent the military and police being used in the interest of the employers to the detriment of the men.
§ MR. CHERRYsuggested that the question should be deferred till the return of the Chief Secretary, who would be in his place, certainly next Thursday.
§ MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)Was any action taken on the report of the Committee of Inquiry of 1901 with reference to the condition of the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ MR. CHERRYI cannot answer that without notice.
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)Will not the Prime Minister use his influence to bring about arbitration?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. CURRANinquired if the military and the police in Belfast were not being used in the capacity of private workmen, thus tending to irritate the men involved in the disputed
§ MR. CHERRYreplied that that was not the case. The military were being used merely to preserve order and the police to protect carters passing through the city.
§ MR. CURRANWill the Government consider the advisability of withdrawing the troops?
§ MR. CHERRYThe troops were not sent by the Government. They were 1848 requisitioned by the Lord Mayor of Belfast under the common law, and the Government have nothing to do with the matter.
§ MR. LUNDONasked if it was not the case that there was disorder amongst the police themselves.
§ MR. CHERRYreplied that there had been slight disorder in the police force in Belfast, but fortunately that bad entirely calmed down now.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Did not ex-I Constable Barrett publicly say that, while acting as a constable, he practically did the work of a van driver in Belfast?
§ MR. CHERRYOne should not attach too much importance to the statement of of a dismissed constable.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)asked if it were not the fact that all the police in Belfast prior to the outbreak of the labour dispute were being transferred to other parts of Ireland.
§ MR. CHERRYasked for notice.
§ MR. CROOKSYou say the Lord Mayor of Belfast requisitioned the troops. Have they Home Rule there?
§ MR. CHERRYThe powers of the civil authorities are exactly the same as in England.
§ MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of publishing the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the state of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Belfast, which report has been kept secret?
§ MR. CHERRYThat question should be addressed to the Chief Secretary.
§ MR. SLOANIs it not the fact that many constables in Belfast who have taken no part in the dispute are under order to leave the city, and to leave their wives and families behind?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member appears to be contributing a statement rather than asking a question.