HC Deb 05 May 1914 vol 62 cc126-8
47. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take any steps to give effect to his approval of the suggestions put forward by the First Lord of the Admiralty last Tuesday?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am taking the steps which seem to me most likely to conduce to a possible settlement.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is the House of Commons to be allowed to have no voice in this matter at all?

The PRIME MINISTER

This House has ultimate control.

48. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked whether the Government propose to continue Sir Nevil Macready's appointment as resident magistrate; if so, whether he will be able in that capacity, in case of civil disturbance, to call upon himself as a miltiary officer to give assistance to the civil power; and whether it is proposed, in any case of apprehended disturbance elsewhere, to make the commander of the troops a magistrate?

The PRIME MINISTER

As I have already stated, it is not intended that Sir N. Macready should supersede the local authorities. The object of his appointment was, and is, that, in case of necessity, he should be in a position to co-ordinate the actions of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the troops. It would still be open to and the duty of the local authorities to call upon the military to assist the the civil power. Although the last part of the question is based on a hypothesis, and I cannot therefore give a definite reply, I think that the answer is in the negative.

Mr. DILLON

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the precedent set by the appointment in 1887 of Sir Redvers Buller by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London (Mr. Balfour), with full control over the police authorities throughout Ireland?

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the second part of my question: Will Sir Nevil Macready be able in that capacity, in the event of civil disturbance, to call upon himself as a military officer to give assistance to the civil power?

The PRIME MINISTER

I thought I had answered that. It is not the intention at all. The intention is that the civil magistrates shall still be the persons to call upon the military and to accompany the troops.

Mr. DILLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question and say whether, in the case of Sir Redvers Buller and other divisional magistrates appointed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London, they had full authority, apart from the civil magistrates, to control both the police and the military?

The PRIME MINISTER

I believe that is so. But that is not an exact analogy, because Sir Redvers Buller was appointed Under-Secretary.

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

Will the Chief Commissioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Belfast be directly under the command of General Macready and report to him?

The PRIME MINISTER

Not under his command, but under the command of the head of the Royal Irish Constabulary, but he will be in close contact with him.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

What was the opinion of his Majesty's then Opposition on the appointment and powers of Sir Redvers Buller?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should have to look that up.

Viscount HELMSLEY

What steps have-been taken to carry out the intention just expressed by the right hon. Gentleman if it should be necessary to call upon a civil magistrate to act?

The PRIME MINISTER

We rely on the civil magistrates to do their duty. I hope the occasion may never arise.

Viscount HELMSLEY

But has it been made clear to General Macready that he is not to usurp the position of the civil magistrate?

The PRIME MINISTER

No question of that kind has arisen. In cases of great urgency he will act as a civil magistrate.

OTHER MEMBERS

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Further questions must be put down. I think we have exhausted this.

39. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the application of the Admiralty of 19th March to Messrs. Norman, Hallett, and Company, for the profile and general arrangement plans of the steamship "Bright Wings" was connected with the precautionary operations which were then being taken against Ulster; if similar applications were made to any other steamship owners; and if at the time any other and, if so, how many vessels for transport purposes were at the disposal of the Admiralty and free for immediate use?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir.

Mr. F. HALL

Is it not very significant that these owners should have been asked for the profile of this ship, and that it must have been well known that it was the only one unchartered at the time, and therefore the only one that could be utilised by the Admiralty?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have answered the question in the negative.

Mr. F HALL

And I have asked a supplementary question.

Forward to