§ LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measures for the better protection of life in certain districts in Ireland? Every day accounts of fresh outrages continue to be received.
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUESir, I have to say there are no possible efforts or exertions which the Government and the police are not making for the purpose of detecting the perpetrators of the crimes which have recently disgraced certain districts in Ireland; and they have by no means abandoned the hope of succeeding in the detection of some of the criminals. But I need not tell the noble Lord the enormous difficulties that have always been found in devising legislative measures that would ensure the prevention of agrarian crimes in Ireland; and especially in view of that which lies at the root of the whole mat- 471 ter—namely, the difficulty of procuring evidence which would lead to convictions. However, the Government are most anxiously considering the best means of rendering the Lord Lieutenant's powers in this matter more speedy and effectual.