§ Mr. BECKETT (Yorkshire, N. R. Whitby)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resotion passed on 16th June, by the Kilbride branch of the United Irish League, to the effect that a certain house in Tonlagee is open at all times for the refreshment and recreation of the police, and that, considering the brutal acts perpetrated recently by these hirelings of Dublin Castle, the people of Tonlagee are called upon to treat the owners of such houses as blacklegs and to hold no communication with them in the future; and whether, in view of the character of this resolution, he will take steps to. prevent the boycotting of the individual referred to and of the police in the execution of their public duty.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that a resolution to the effect stated in the Question has appeared in a local newspaper. The meeting at which the resolution purports to have been passed was held within doors, and the police have no knowledge that it was passed. The person referred 77 to in the resolution is not boycotted and needs no assistance from the police. If necessity should arise the police will afford full protection.