§ SIR PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Attorney General for Ireland, Why the baronies of Warrenstown and Cooleston, in the King's County, have been proclaimed under the Coercion Act, there appearing to have been no outrages reported as having been committed in those baronies?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)Sir, the only answer I feel myself at liberty to give to the Question of the hon. Baronet is that the Executive proclaimed these baronies because, having regard to the state of that part of the county, they felt it their duty to do so.
§ MR. PARNELLsaid, the Attorney General for Ireland must know that he was giving an evasive answer to the Question of the hon. Baronet, who asked why those baronies had been proclaimed. Far better would it be if the Government, once for all, would let the Irish Members know they were to get no information in answer to any of these Questions. [Cries of "Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can ask a Question, but not make a speech.
§ MR. PARNELLVery well, Sir. Then I shall ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether it would not be more dignified for him to state, with respect to this Question, that the Government intended to give no information whatever as to the manner in which the law is being carried out in Ireland?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)I deny having given an evasive answer. I have given all the information it is in my power to give with propriety, and this I am glad to do on all occasions.