THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAMasked Her Majesty's Government, Whether the statements which had appeared in the public prints concerning the state of the city of Cork are correct; and whether the measures taken by the authorities have proved sufficient to secure the protection of the persons and property of the inhabitants?
§ EARL SPENCERsaid, it was true that during the last few days some disturbances had broken out in the city of Cork; but he did not think his noble Friend could expect from him any detailed account of what had taken place. He could simply state that a strike occurred among the tailors of that city, and that while considerable crowds of the unemployed paraded the city, the opportunity was seized by the evil-dis- 1303 posed in the place to commit acts of riot. He was happy to say that the riots had now ceased. The Irish Government, on hearing the report of the disturbances, sent down a large increase of constabulary to aid the local force. On the 27th and. 28th ultimo, as many as 150 extra constabulary were despatched to Cork: and he had no doubt that the force of constabulary, combined with the military stationed in the place, would be amply sufficient to meet any emergency which might arise. He had received a telegram that day from Cork, stating that the city was quiet, that the people on strike were returning to work, that the excitement was subsiding, and that every precaution had been taken to stop intimidation and prevent disorder. He need not assure his noble Friend and the House that the Irish Government would use every effort to protect property and restore tranquillity and order.
THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEsaid, that no blame could be thrown on the Irish Government for the disturbances in Cork; but all accounts, both private and public, showed that the Mayor of that city, who was the principal authority there, was greatly to blame. It would be well, as the municipal authorities of that town, on more than one occasion, seemed to have been Sadly deficient in repressing disorder, that they should know that they could be proceeded against by indictment for default in the execution of their duty. The law had been expressly laid down by the Judges of the land in the case of the Bristol riots, which were much more formidable than any that had occurred in Cork, that proceedings could be taken by indictment or information in the King's Bench against the Mayor, if he had not shown proper activity in the performance of the duty he had assumed.