§ MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's Co., Ossory)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the alarming increase in the number of emigrants from Ireland during the month of April of the present year; and, whether he can give the House any idea as to the cause of the increase?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HAKMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: My attention has been directed to the considerable increase of emigration referred to in the Question. The hon. Gentleman might have gathered from the numbers which I stated a few days ago that my attention has been directed to the subject. In addition to the usual causes operating towards emigration, at present there is a considerable want of employment in the country, and there is a fear on the part of many as to the consequences likely to ensue from their past misconduct. There is likewise a disinclination on the part of many others to 513 join Secret Societies, which, if they remained in the country, they would most probably be compelled to join.
§ MR. W. A. MACDONALDasked, whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman did not think the increase was due, at least in part, to the introduction of the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill into this House, and to the conviction on the part of the people of Ireland—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! that is a matter of opinion, and not the subject of the Question.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)The right hon. and gallant Gentleman, in answering the Question, had used the words, "My attention has been directed." The Question on the Paper was, whether the attention of the Chief Secretary had been directed to the subject?