§ MR. VANCEsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he has any objection to lay upon the Table of the House, any instructions which have been issued to the Irish constabulary with reference to carrying and using their firearms?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE, in reply, said, it had not been thought necessary or advisable to issue instructions on the subject in consequence of the unfortunate occurrence at Porta-down. To have done so would have appeared to imply a foregone conclusion as to the conduct of the police, which the Government were not in a position to arrive at. He might add that by the standing regulations of the Irish constabulary force, with which the men, and especially the officers, were perfectly familiar, the most stringent caution is imposed on the use of firearms, as a course to be adopted only under the gravest circumstances, and in the last resort.
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, that he should be happy to produce them, if the hon. Member desired it.