HC Deb 12 June 1907 vol 175 cc1425-8
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that at a Gaelic League demonstration at Ballina, on Sunday, 2nd June, Mr. P. O'Donellan said the Irish people were not in a position to face England on the field of battle, but while they were waiting for that not far distant date they should boycott everything English, from the Lord-Lieutenant down to the meanest menial and spy in his service; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

MR. BIRRELL

My attention has only now been called to a newspaper report of the speech referred to. The Question does not seem to me to convey a correct impression of the tenor of the speech. Its general purport is contained in an extract which I will venture to read—"Last year the Irish people spent over £13,000,000 on drink, and out of the duty collected on the drink bill principally the English Government was paying her officials, from the Lord-Lieutenant down to the meanest menial, and to the spy in her service. Why should they not reduce the drink bill by one half, because it would not be too much to ask any man taking two bottles of stout in the day to reduce it to one, not for the sake of any man, but for the sake of Ireland? Were they going to continue to spend £25,000,000 on foreign manufactures while they were begging from Sir Henry Robinson and others for grants for unions? In concluding an eloquent speech Mr. O'Donellan asked the people to become temperate and self-reliant until they realised their fondest aspirations."

MR. LONSDALE

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that Mr. P. O'Donellan said the Irish people were not in a position to face England on the field of battle, but while they were waiting for that not far distant date they should boycott everything English, from the Lord-Lieutenant down to the meanest menial and spy in his service

MR. J. DEVLIN

Was any reference made in that speech to English margarine?

MR. LONSDALE

I must press for an Answer to my very distinct Question.

MR. BIRRELL

The extract I have read is, I think, an answer.

MR. KILBRIDE

How much of the. £13,000,000 referred to in the speech was spent in Belfast?

MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that at a Gaelic League demonstration at Ballina on Sunday, 2nd June, at which speeches in favour of boycotting were made, a recitation was given by a national school teacher; and whether it is in accordance with the rules of the National Commissioners of Education that teachers should take part in such political demonstrations.

MR. BIRRELL

The attendance of national school teachers at meetings held for political purposes is prohibited by the rules of the Commissioners of National Education, but I have no information as to whether the meeting referred to in the Question was a political meeting The Commissioners, however, inform me that they are at present investigating the case.

MR. J. DEVLIN

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Mr. Thomson, a teacher, recently made a political speech at a Unionist demonstration in Belfast presided over by Lord Londonderry?

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must really give notice of these Questions. It is impossible for the Chief Secretary for Ireland to carry all these speeches in his mind.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Gaelic League is strictly non-political?

MR. BIRRELL

I have always been told so.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not the fact that the National Commissioners of Education in Ireland suspended, pro tem., while the Irish Council Bill was under consideration, the rule with regard to school teachers taking part in meetings?

MR. BIRRELL

I must ask for notice of that Question.

MR. J. DEVLIN

Did not the right hon. Gentleman promise in this House that school teachers should enjoy in this matter the same rights and privileges as all other citizens?

MR. BIRRELL

Yes, Sir, I did. And I also did my best to induce the National Commissioners to alter the rule.

MR. MOORE

Was not Mr. Thomson allowed to attend this meeting under a special licence from Dr. Starkey?

MR. BIRRELL

I am not aware.

MR. J. DEVLIN

May I ask if it is necessary for an Irish National teacher to get specific leave to address a Unionist demonstration, and will all teachers in Ireland be allowed the same right and privilege as Mr. Thomson?

MR. BIRRELL

Under the rule a teacher is not entitled to address political meetings, and so long as the rule stands the teachers must submit to it.

MR. SLOAN

May I further ask —

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! A large number of supplementary Questions have already been asked, and it is only fair to other hon. Members who have Questions on the Paper that this should cease. If hon. Members desire to put further Questions they must put them on the Paper.

MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)

Having regard to the fact that teachers are allowed to attend meetings in England, will the right hon. Gentleman —

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! The hon. Member must give notice of that Question in the usual way.