§ 39. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary what charge to public funds was involved by reason of the public funeral granted by the authorities to the Lord Mayor of Cork, a brigadier-general in the Irish republican army, who committed suicide by starvation in Brixton prison prior to the expiration of his sentence of imprisonment; how many 180 police were employed in connection with the said funeral; what was the cost of the special steamer which was used convey the lord mayor's body from Holyhead to Cork; under what Vote will this expenditure come before the House; and what is the estimated loss to the business community by reason of all traffic being suspended in a large portion of Central London and the City for nearly an hour?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Baird)No public funeral was given by the authorities. The funeral was arranged by the prisoner's friends, and its cost will fall on them. It is not desirable to give the number of police employed along the route to maintain order and regulate the traffic. I understand the cost of the steamer has not yet been ascertained, nor has it been determined by the Treasury on what Vote the charge will fall. It is, of course, impossible to estimate the loss, if any, caused by the, suspension of traffic, but the police did their utmost to minimise the obstruction, and I understand that the delay was not serious.
Captain LOSEBYIs the hon. Baronet aware that there is a strong body of opinion in this country which cordially supported the Government in their last action in paying respect to a brave and possibly misguided man?