MR. O'KEEFFEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the absence of crime from the City of Limerick, to state the reasons of continuing the Proclamation of that city under the provisions of "The Criminal Law Procedure Act, 1887?".
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe large diminution in agrarian crime throughout Ireland has been observed with satisfaction by the Government, and we have at the present time under consideration the question of removing the Proclamations under the Criminal Law Procedure Act, 1887, from such districts as may be found expedient.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table a Return showing the parts of Ireland subject to special provisions of the Crimes Act?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think it hardly necessary to do that. The provisions most objected to in Ireland are, I think, those of Clause 2. In a large part of Ireland that clause is in force. I believe there are one or two provisions of the Act which it is generally felt ought to remain in force. But if the hon. Gentleman would like a Return showing in what districts the main provisions of Clause 2 are enforced—such, for instance, as the provisions against conspiracy—and also in what places the National League is proclaimed, I will see if that can be done.
MR. O'KEEFFEAs the right hon. Gentleman states it is the intention of the Government to revise the existing enforcement of the Act, can he tell me if it is the fact that no agrarian crime has occurred in the City of Limerick?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.
§ MR. M. J. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of withdrawing the extra police now on duty in the various counties in which he intends to with draw the Proclamation?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe extra police have been removed, or largely diminished, in many counties.