HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 cc371-2
76. Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds the military authorities issued a Proclamation forbidding the holding of a public meeting in Caledon, county Tyrone, on 1st November?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have no special information. I have asked for a report.

Mr. DEVLIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he knows nothing of the proclamation of the constitutionally called public meeting proclaimed by the military authorities?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No. The military authorities in Ireland act in accordance with the wishes and policy of the Irish Executive, and although I am prepared to answer questions about them I have in. the first instance to call for a report, which I have done on the question appearing on the Paper, and I have not yet received that report.

Mr. DEVLIN

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has had some experience of having political meetings proclaimed in Ulster by the same people who proclaimed my political meeting in Ulster, and I defended him when he was proclaimed, I now want him to give an answer to my question.

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am entirely ready to give such an answer, but in order that I may do full justice to the subject I propose to wait for the report.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the answer at the Adjournment to-night so that we may discuss it as brothers in misfortune?

Mr. CHURCHILL

If we are going to approach this question fraternally I should ask for a little longer delay than that.

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