§ MR. O'CLERYasked the honourable Baronet the Member for Walsall, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that Petitions, purporting to be signed by over 90,000"working men and other inhabitants of the city of Dublin," have been presented during the present Session against the Irish Sunday Closing Bill; whether he is aware that there are few, if any, women's signatures attached to these Petitions, and that, according to the Census Returns for 1871, there were 875 only a little over 70,000 male adults above 15 years of age in the city of Dublin; and, if the Committee on Public Petitions intend to take any action in the matter?
§ SIR CHARLES FORSTERSir, in reply to the Question of the hon. Member, I have to say, with regard to the first part, it is perfectly correct. With regard to the second part, the Committee had not present in their minds the Census Return of 1871. The Committee is not accustomed to take action on mere inferences, but require substantial and positive proof; and, therefore, as at present advised, they do not intend to take any action in the matter; but if the hon. Member desires to examine these Petitions, every facility will be afforded him for so doing.