HC Deb 27 March 1907 vol 171 cc1825-6
MR. T. L. CORBETT

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, at a demonstration organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernians at Stewartstown, county Tyrone, on Sunday last, a serious disturbance took place, and a police officer was injured; if so, whether this disturbance was in any way due to the display of a Union Jack by a loyalist in the town; and whether this Union Jack was hauled down, and by whom.

MR. BIRRELL

There was no demonstation at Stewartstown on Sunday last. The hon. Member probably intends to refer to a demonstration which took place on Monday, 18th March, when a slight disturbance took place, and a police officer received slight injury. The police authorities inform me that the disturbance was not due to the display of a Union Jack. A large red flag bearing the word Stewartstown, and having a small Union Jack in one corner, was displayed by the opposition crowd which had assembled, and the police officer responsible for the preservation of the peace requested the owner to remove it, as its display in the circumstances was calculated to lead to a serious disturbance.

MR. T. L. CORBETT

inquired whether the flag displayed was not a red flag with the Union Jack in the corner; was it not usually known as the Royal ensign, and was the use of that flag to be publicly condemned?

Mr. BIRRELL

My information is that it was a red flag bearing the word "Stewartstown." It has a small Union Jack in one corner, and whether that answers to the description of the Royal Ensign I will leave the hon Member himself to say.

Mr. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

asked whether the disturbance which occurred was not entirely due to an attempt being made to prevent the original meeting, which had been long advertised, being held.

Mr. BIRRELL

said that no doubt a second meeting was arranged long after the first had been advertised. He had seen reports of the proceedings, and he was satisfied that the police had behaved with great courage, sense, and discretion in the matter.

MR. T. L. CORBETT

again pressed the question as to whether the Red Ensign in future was to be condemned if used on such occasions.

MR. BIRRELL

I do not think the Royal emblem ought to have the word "Stewartstown" upon it.