HC Deb 22 May 1916 vol 82 cc1808-9
29. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been issued prohibiting the playing of Irish airs in restaurants, theatres, music halls, and other places of amusement; if the prohibition specially refers to the air entitled "A Little Bit of Heaven"; and if he will state the cause of this action?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. Samuel)

I have not issued any such instructions nor have I heard of any such being issued. It is possible that during the recent disturbances the playing of well-known Irish airs may have been suspended by the managers of places of entertainment, but if that was so, I trust that now the Irish melodies may be restored to their usual places in the programmes of the orchestras and in the favour of the audiences.