§ 12. Mr. DONOVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at Bray, county Dublin, a concert in aid of the anti-Conscription fund being raised in Ireland was only allowed to be held after the programme had been submitted to the police authorities; whether the programmes of concerts promoted by the Unionist and Orange organisations of Ireland have first to be submitted to the police authorities before the performance is allowed; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done?
§ Mr. SHORTTAbout a fortnight ago, in consequence of information received that seditious songs were to be sung at the concert in question, the head constable called on the manageress of the picture house at Bray where the concert was to be held and warned her. He did not ask to see the programme. The manageress said she would caution the promoters, and that she would not permit anything seditious, and in the course of the concert she interrupted one of the singers who was singing a song relating to the Rebellion of 1916 which seemed objectionable. It is not the practice of the police to require concert programmes to be submitted to them.
Mr. NUGENTIs the information of the right hon. Gentleman definitely in reference to the Rebellion of 1916 or the threatened Rebellion of 1911?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy information is in reference to the Rebellion of 1916. If the hon. Gentleman wishes, I will make further inquiries.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the songs glorifying the rebellion organised by the Ulster provisional Government be suppressed?
§ Mr. SHORTTIf they are seditious they will be.
§ Mr. DEVLINAre the police to be the judges of what is seditious?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo; not at all.