§ 29. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland at whose instigation and on what evidence the Proclamation was issued prohibiting the holding of a public meeting in Dublin to protest against the ill-treatment of the Irish political prisoners chained in penal servitude in England under sentences of secret courts-martial; whether it was under the ordinary law, under martial law, or under the Defence of the Realm Act that that purpose has been deemed illegal and the proclamation issued; what reason there was, if any, for supposing that the meeting, if allowed, would have been disorderly; whether the police inspectors advised that the meeting ought not to be proclaimed; and whether the entire police force in Ireland is now under the command of the military authorities?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)The meeting was prohibited under Regulation 9A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, because there was obvious reason to apprehend that the holding of it would give rise to disorder. The apprehension was only too well founded, as was shown by the criminal acts, including one very terrible crime, which were committed by persons who sought to hold the meeting in defiance of the prohibition.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the first part of the question, at whose instigation and on what evidence it was proclaimed; nor has he answered the Clause asking whether the police inspectors advised the meeting not to be proclaimed.
§ Mr. DUKEThe hon. Member, as I conceive it, is not entitled to ask, and certainly I am not to answer, those questions.