§ MR. TUITE (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord 492 Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the almost total absence of crime in Westmeath, he can now see his way to order the withdrawal of the extra police stationed in that county, and the discontinuance of the operation of the clauses of the Protection of Person and Property (Ireland) Act at present in force in the county?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The authorities responsible for the preservation of the peace in the County Westmeath cannot as yet recommend a further reduction in the number of the extra police in that county. The Protection of Person and Property Act is not in force in any part of Ireland, having expired in September, 1882; but, assuming that the hon. Member is referring to the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887, I may say that a very small part of that Act is in force in the County Westmeath, namely, those portions of one sub-section which deal with cases of forcible possession of houses or land, and assaults on sheriffs or other ministers of the law.