§ MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he could state in how many cases were witnesses examined under the powers conferred by Section 16 of "The Prevention of Crime Act, 1882;" in respect of what offences were they examined; and, in how many cases were convictions obtained on such examinations?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: The hon. Member has given no Notice of his Question; and I could not give him a complete answer without inquiries which would occupy some time, and for which he has afforded no opportunity. The official records immediately at my disposal show, however, that during the existence of the Crimes Act 114 inquiries were held under Section 16, and that one-third of these inquiries resulted in prosecutions. The classes of offence in respect of which the inquiries were held were chiefly murder, conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, firing at the person, attacking houses, killing or maiming cattle, and other crimes of violence, besides injury to property, intimidation, and writing threatening letters.
§ MR. ANDERSONWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman grant a Return?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANIt would be an exceedingly difficult Return to make out; but if the hon. Gentleman will put upon the Paper, or communicate to me, exactly what he wants, I will do my best to meet his wishes.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked, if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman included in the enumeration the Tubbercurry conspiracy case, in which 11 men were kept in Sligo Prison for a month, 13 and in which, a prolonged inquiry was held, resulting in an acquittal?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANasked the hon. Member to give Notice of the Question.