§ 16. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the urban district council of the county Antrim coast town, in which the presence of aliens has previously been brought to notice had already submitted resolutions to his Department and to the Prime Minister calling for the removal of such persons from the coast; whether he will state the grounds upon which such 946 resolutions were not accepted as showing local resentment on the question; and what steps he now proposes to take?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware that the resolutions referred to were submitted to the Prime Minister and my Department. The resolution of a district council is not necessarily based on local feeling and there was no other evidence of local resentment. The facts have been laid before the naval and military authorities, and no further steps on the part of my Department appear to be necessary.
§ Colonel McCALMONTIs the House to understand that the resolution of an urban district council is not to be taken as showing the local feeling of the town they represent; if it is so, will the right hon. Gentleman say how a town is to be expected to bring its feelings before the authorities?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir; my hon. and gallant Friend is not to suppose anything of the kind. The resolution of a local council need not necessarily be based upon local resentment, but upon local feeling as to what is wise to be done, and so on.