§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Royal Irish Constabulary have printed instructions with respect to the Wild Birds Protection Acts, 1880 and 1881, and Amending Acts, to the effect that the Constabulary are not required to enforce these Acts; and if, in view of the serious diminution of sporting and other wild birds in Ireland, and also of the fact that such instructions are contrary to the Statutes cited, steps will immediately be taken to rescind these instructions?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURBy the 6 Will. IV., cap. 15, sec. 13, the Constabulary are expressly prohibited from enforcing any Act relating to the preservation of game. The Acts mentioned in the Question do not repeal this Statute or impose any special duties on the police in reference to them. It has always been considered that the instructions requiring the police not to enforce the Statutes mentioned in the Question come within the spirit of the Act of William IV. quoted.
§ MR. S. BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)But are not these Acts intended distinctly for the protection of birds which are not game birds? Will the right honourable Gentleman take precautions to see that they are carried out in that respect?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have nothing to add to the statement just made by me.