MR. MACARTNEYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What are the reasons which have induced Her Majesty's Government to place the baronies of Upper and Middle Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, under the provisions of the Peace Preservation Act?
§ MR. LITTONalso asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he can state the grounds upon which the baronies of Lower and Middle Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, have been proclaimed, those baronies forming one of the most peaceable districts in Ireland, and being eminently free from agrarian crime; and, whether he will be good enough to reconsider the propriety of the step so taken?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, the Peace Preservation Act was put in force as far as the carrying of arms is concerned, and only as regards the carrying of arms, in the baronies of Upper and Middle Dungannon, and not in the barony of Lower Dungannon. These baronies were proclaimed, not on account of agrarian crime; but I must remind the hon. Member that to prevent agrarian crime was not the sole object of the Peace Preservation Act, and that, in many cases, many lamentable occurrences have resulted from the carrying of arms in the North of Ireland. All the principal localities in the County Tyrone where Party disturbances have taken place are in the baronies referred to.