16. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what instructions have been given to the police of Ireland regarding bands parading; whether advice has been tendered to the police that, provided they have force enough, they are to break up the bands and the instruments on the spot and handle the people roughly; if this is in the interests of peace and order in Ireland; and whether a circular to that effect has been issued by the Inspector-General to the constabulary, dated 16th March of this year?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe instructions referred to in the circular of 16th March, 1916, have only reference to bands taking part in unlawful assemblies. No such 592 instructions as suggested in the second part of the question have been given. The rest of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Mr. NUGENTIn view of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I state that I have a circular in my possession which clearly reveals that if the police have sufficient force they are to break up the band and instruments, and handle the people roughly, and should such a power for a moment be put in the hands of the police, giving them absolutely the right to decide whether to take such action or not?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not know what the hon. Member has in his possession, but I do know that a large number of documents of an extraordinary character have been printed and circulated in Ireland.
§ Mr. SCANLANHas the right hon. Gentleman given any help to the local police in Ireland to guide them as to what is a lawful and what is an unlawful meeting?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not quite follow what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. SCANLANIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman thinks that all meetings of Nationalists in Ireland are unlawful?
§ Mr. SHORTTCertainly not!
Mr. NUGENTHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been directed to the circular dated the 9th June, 1918, and signed E. A. Britton?
§ Mr. SHORTTI know of no such document.