HC Deb 14 April 1910 vol 16 cc1400-1
Mr. LARDNER

asked whether His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant had received a memorial signed by certain justices of the peace for the county of Fermanagh in reference to certain disturbances which took place on 29th February, 1910, and the petty sessions proceedings which followed thereon; if so, will he state what action the Lord Lieutenant proposes to take; and will he grant the request of the memorialists that a Commissioner should be appointed to inquire into the riot of 29th January and the disturbed condition generally of the districts of Maguires-bridge and Brookeborough?

Mr. BIRRELL

His Excellency has received the memorial referred to, and has informed the memorialists that their request for a commission of inquiry cannot be granted.

Mr. LARDNER

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state on what grounds His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant remitted three days in each case of the terms of fourteen days' imprisonment to which two men named Bowles and Boyd were sentenced, and discharged the rule of bail under which one M'Farland was bound to the peace, by the justices of the peace for the county of Fermanagh, sitting in petty sessions recently at Lisnaskea; whether this action was taken as the result of representations made to His Excellency; and, if so, will he state by whom these representations were made?

Mr. BIRRELL

It would be contrary to practice to state the names of the persons who made representations to His Excellency in such cases, or the reasons which influenced him in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

Mr. LARDNER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when representations were made to have these sentences reduced a magistrate for the county of Fermanagh was sitting on the bench proposing to take part in the case, and he was compelled to leave on the representations of the solicitor defending the case?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am not in a position to give the name of any person who made representations in this matter.

Mr. LARDNER

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why these people who were sent to prison were not allowed the ordinary remedy of applying to have their sentences set aside?

Mr. BIRRELL

His Excellency thought the case was one which called for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.