§ MR. CALLANsaid, he would beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the state of the borough of Dundalk and the county of Louth, with reference to the fact that they are still under Proclamation; and whether, regard being had to their "eminently satisfactory state, both as regards offences against the person and property," Government are prepared to remove the Proclamation?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, he felt as deep an interest as his hon. Friend in the county of Louth and the borough of Dundalk, and he had as high an opinion as he (Mr. Callan) could have of the order that prevailed there. He was proud to know that, in common with by far the larger part of Ireland, these places were singularly free from ordinary crime. But the powers conferred on the Executive by a Proclamation under the Peace Preservation Act were of considerable value, though they were moderate, and, as he believed, moderately exercised; and they were not to be lightly removed from any particular district or without the fullest consideration. He was not able to say that it was the present opinion of the Irish Government that the Proclamation should be removed from those particular districts.
§ MR. CALLANWill the right hon. Gentleman be able, during the present Session, to give an answer to the Question?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEMy hon. Friend had better put the Question again before the end of the Session.