§ MR. BERNAL OSBORNEbegged to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department whether the attention of the Government had been directed to the facilities which the Irish Arms Act afforded to the ill-disposed, to possess themselves unlawfully of arms; and if the Government had it in contemplation to bring in any measure to amend that Act, especially as regarded the provisions for registering arms.
§ SIR J. GRAHAMwas understood to observe, that the Irish Arms Act would expire in the course of the present Session. He certainly admitted that all the benefit anticipated from the passing of that Act had not been realized; nor was it, on the other hand, attended with the evils that 1045 some hon. Gentlemen apprehended. He was afraid that, in the present circumstances of Ireland, it would not be possible to leave that country without some enactment with regard to the possession of arms; and he saw no reason why the Government should not propose its renewal (so we understood) with proper amendments.