§ MR. MURNAGHANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware the number of claims for malicious injuries in the Omagh rural district is on the increase, and in excess of former years, and that the police, before the passage of the Local Government Act, used to inquire into the circumstances of each claim, and give evidence at presentment sessions and before the grand jury as to the result of the investigation; is this still a part of the duty of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, if not, will he ask the police in Omagh to afford the same assistance as formerly in the investigation of claims for malicious injuries.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe number of claims for compensation for malicious injuries at the last Omagh quarter sessions was in excess of the number heard at the corresponding sessions of 1900, but there has been no increase in the amount of compensation awarded. In many of these cases the police were witnesses. They investigate every case, and give evidence when summoned as witnesses, either on behalf of county councils or applicants for compensation. The passage of the Local Government Act has made no alteration in their duty in this respect.