The O'DONOGHUEsaid, he rose to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whe- 733 ther he does not think it would have a good effect upon the state of Iceland, and whether he sees any objection to releasing from custody those persons arrested under the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act who can procure bail; whether it be true, as reported in the papers, that the Catholic Cathedral at Armagh was searched, and even the vaults entered; if so, whether this was done by direction or with the approval of the Government; if it was not done by direction or with the approval of the Government, whether he does not think the matter ought to be made the subject of inquiry, with a view to giving redress to the Catholics, and of preventing the recurrence of such an act; and whether lie will state if the Land Bill which the Government was going to introduce differs in principle from the Bill introduced by Mr. Cardwell; and, if so, what is the difference?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAWSON)said, in reply to the hon. Member's first Question, he had to state that a careful investigation was made in the case of every person arrested under the Act, and no person was retained in custody unless the Government were clearly satisfied that he had been actively engaged in promoting the objects of that conspiracy. In his opinion it would have a very bad effect indeed if they were to release upon bail the persons who were so engaged, and to permit them to travel through the country carrying on their do signs. With regard to finding bail those persons would have no difficulty in doing that, because it would only be necessary for them to indemnify the sureties for any breach of their recognizances. But if amongst those in custody there were persons who had come from America to pro mote the objects of the association, he would be disposed to give a very favourable consideration to any application which they might make if they wished to leave Ireland and to return to the place they came from With respect to the lion. Member's second Question, as to a search in the Catholic Cathedral at Armagh, he (Mr.Lawson) had written to Ireland for full information on that subject, and directed that it should be procured He had not yet, however, received it, and if the hon. Gentleman would be good enough to repeat his Question he should be in a position to give him the fullest information on the matter. [The O'DONOGHUE: To morrow?] He could not answer for that, but thought it was extremely likely. With respect to the hon. Gentleman's third 734 Question, as to the Land Bill which the Government were to bring in, and as to the principle of that Bill, he was sure the hon. Member himself and the House would see that it would be extremely improper for him then to anticipate the statement which should be made upon the introduction of that measure. He had reason to hope, however, that the proposal of the Government would be one that would be likely to lead to a satisfactory settlement of a very difficult and vexed question.