§ MR. HENRY CAMPBELL (Fermanagh, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Mr. Dunne, ironmonger, &c. of Lisnaskea, county Fermanagh, purchased the arms which were seized by the police on the 2nd instant, for the purpose of selling them, not knowing that a licence for their sale was necessary nor that the county was proclaimed under the provisions of the Arms Act; whether Mr. Dunne is ready to make an affidavit to this effect; and, whether, therefore, the prosecution entered against him by the police will be discontinued, and permission given to him to return the arms to the senders?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVEENMENT BOARD (Mr. STANSFELD) (Halifax)(who replied) said, the Chief Secretary gathered from, the statement which the hon. Member had sent him that Mr. Dunne made the case put forward in the Question; but, as the hon. Member was aware, ignorance of the law was not a sufficient plea for its violation. No doubt, the magistrates would take into consideration all the circumstances which might be brought before them before deciding the case. The question as to how the arms were to be disposed of could not be considered until the case was concluded. If, however, the arms were declared the property of the Crown the Chief Secretary would see that the hon. Member's suggestion was not lost sight of.