§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 26th May there was held at Cullen, county Cork, an aeridhacht, and during the singing and performances not only were many police present but five aeroplanes appeared and for over an hour circled over the meeting, descending to the closest possible proximity to the crowd and drowning by their din the children's music, and that flame rockets were dropped from the planes close to the crowd, one of which set light to a thatched roof; whether the reinforcement of the police in this manner was by his orders or has his sanction; and, if not, will he call for a report on this occurrence?
§ Mr. SAMUELSI a minformed that a meeting took place at Cullen on the 26th May. The first part of the proceedings was for children and occupied less than half an hour. The rest of the meeting was occupied by speeches.
As regards the aeroplanes, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Undersecretary of State for War yesterday.
I am informed that the people were more attracted by the flights of the aeroplanes, which were a novelty, than of the orators. Five police were present, but neither they nor my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary had anything to do with the appearance of the aeroplanes. There is no information as to the setting fire to a thatched roof by a flame rocket.
§ Mr. KINGMay I ask whether the aeroplanes were not sent down as near as possible to the meeting, when the children were performing, and on future occasions of a similar character can that part of the aeroplane performance be deferred, so as not to interfere with little children's work?
§ Mr. SAMUELSI understand the meeting was what the hon. Member calls 2349 an aeridbacht, and that the aeridbacht was eclipsed by the aeroplanes. I have not the least doubt that they were much more entertaining and edifying.