§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, How many trials for treason or treason felony have taken place in Ireland within the last ten years, and in how many cases the juries have disagreed or acquitted the prisoners; and, if the House can be furnished with any statistics as to the percentage of acquittals and disagreements in the case of any of the crimes mentioned in the first Clause of the Prevention of Crime Bill, as compared with findings for other species of crime? He put down this Question in the hope that they might have some definite information upon the subject when they were discussing the second reading of the Prevention of Crime Bill.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)I do not think the Returns which the hon. Member asks for could possibly be made out much, if at all, under two months, and would, in any event, necessitate the Crown Solicitors and Clerks of the Crown being taken from their regular duties. However, the Chief Secretary authorizes me to say that he will see what can be done.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, it would be equally satisfactory if some Member of the Government would import into his speech to-night the information required. His own impression was that during the last 10 years there had not been one trial for treason-felony.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, it was impossible that he could speak to-night as to the judicial proceedings of the last 10 years.