HC Deb 01 June 1916 vol 82 c2872
47. Mr. LUNDON

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the recent rebellion was confined to a few districts in Ireland, he will communicate with Sir John Maxwell as to the advisability of allowing Gaelic hurling and football matches to go on in those counties in Ireland where no rising of any kind took place; and whether, in view of the fact that the organisation of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which controls such matches, has been vilified by men of anti-national and anti-Irish sentiment, will he see that in the interests of peace and order its members are not to be trampled on at the dictation of those who have ever been its vilifiers?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

I have not been able to obtain the answer to this question, but I will endeavour to do so before the holidays go very far.

Mr. LUNDON

Will the right hon. Gentleman meanwhile instruct the police authorities in Ireland, except in districts where the recent rebellion took place, to allow hurling and football matches to go on, because if we are not given permission of this kind they will be held, in spite of Sir John Maxwell and the police?