HC Deb 06 July 1911 vol 27 cc1342-3
Mr. GIN NELL

I venture to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland an urgent question, of which I have given him private notice. Since I sent that notice you, Sir, have struck out a portion of the question. You have decided that the last paragraph in the question must go on the Paper. It was not before your mind, I assume, that the question relates to matters occurring next Saturday in Dublin, and there is no time to put it on the Paper and get an answer. I therefore ask you to allow me to put the last paragraph of my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can put the first paragraph. The part which I struck out contains very offensive suggestions with regard to a gentleman in Dublin, and what I said was I should like to see it in print before I passed it. Perhaps the hon. Member will begin with the first part of his question.

Mr. GINNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland for what purpose and on whose authority and by whose order the Dublin Metropolitan Police yesterday assaulted Alderman Kerry, Alderman Coffey, and other members of the Dublin Corporation on their way to the City Hall, Dublin, where they had a legal right to go?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I understand that there was a disorderly attempt made by a considerable body of persons to force their way into the Council Chamber, and the police action was confined to preserving as far as they could peace and order on the occasion.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman say on whose orders the police were there in force?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I have no doubt they were there on the orders of their superiors in Dublin, but the duty to be exercised was one which is the primary duty of the police.

Mr. GINNELL

The concluding paragraph of the question contains nothing whatsoever offensive. You consented to it. going on the Paper, and it is urgent.

Mr. SPEAKER

Yes, but it does not. concern any Minister. It concerns a personage who is not in this House and upon. whom the whole decision rests.

Mr. GINNELL

If you will allow me to-read the question, I think you will see it is. in order. In view of the popular hostility to the proposed Royal visit to Dublin—[Hoy. MEMBERS: "Order, order"]—and of the bloodshed to which it may lead—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order"]—whether—

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Gentleman will judge that I was wise in suggesting it should be printed.

Mr. GINNELL

I beg to ask the leave of the House to move the adjournment in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the violent assaults committed yesterday in Dublin by the police upon elected representatives of the people for having refused to present an Address to the King and the connivance of the Government in the said illegal conduct of the police?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member will see that is hardly a serious proposal.