§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that a circular has been addressed by the constabulary authorities in Dublin to the local constabulary authorities in Ireland, calling upon them to report upon the religion of the magistrates in their several districts; if so, what is the object of the inquiry; and, whether he will lay a Copy of the circular upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, on the Motion of the hon. Member for Sligo (Mr. Sexton), a Return was ordered by this House showing, among other particulars, the aggregate number of magistrates of each religious persuasion in each county in Ireland. No inquiries of the character indicated in the Question were made, except such as were necessary for the purpose of preparing the Return to this Order. The Return was laid before the House in August last, but in the case of four counties the information given was so imperfect that it was deemed necessary to make further inquiry with the view of making the Return more complete.
§ MR. SEXTONWas the Return circulated?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt was laid on the Table.