§ MR. CALLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, considering the eminently satisfactory condition of the borough of Dundalk and the county of Louth, as evidenced by the calendar of prisoners and the charges of every going Judge of Assize during the years 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, both as regards offences against the person and against property, and the statement of Mr. Justice Lawson that "the county of Louth and borough of Dundalk, he might with truth say, challenged comparison for peace and order with any portion of Her Majesty's dominions," he is prepared to remove the Proclamation of that borough and county under the Peace Preservation Acts?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, the hon. Member had asked him a similar Question some months ago, and in consequence of that Question and other explanations from districts in Ireland which had for some time been entirely undisturbed, the Irish Government had given instructions to the resident magistrates to relax in certain districts the stringency of the regulations with regard to the licensing of arms. He had stated on the former occasion his reasons why he did not think it expedient at present entirely to remove the proclamation from those counties, and he had not had reason to form a different opinion as yet. He could therefore only say that the subject of the condition of Louth and other counties in the same condition would be considered by the Government with the view of removing the proclamation as soon as possible.