§ MR. M'COANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it be true that the county court judge, in addressing the grand jury at Baltinglass on the 2nd instant, declared that for order and peace fulness the whole of Wicklow might be regarded as a model county; and also, if it be true that six branches of the Land League have, for a considerable time past, been established and in active operation in the county? The hon. Member also asked, On what principle the Irish Executive will proceed in proclaiming counties, or part of counties, in Ireland, so as to bring them within the operation of the proposed Coercion Acts?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I have not seen the report referred to of the speech of the County Court Judge; but I have reason to suppose that what the hon. Member states as having been said is correct; and if it is, I must congratulate the hon. Member on the state of his county. I do not know the exact number of the branches of the Land League 347 in the county of Wicklow; but I should not be surprised to hear that there are six. With regard to the second Question, the only answer I can give is that upon the Protection Bill becoming law the Irish Government will most carefully consider what counties or districts they will proclaim under it, the intention being to proclaim only those where the adoption of such a course is necessary for the maintenance of law and order.