§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenaut of Ireland whether he is aware that Judges of Assize, in their charges to the Grand Juries, have recently called attention to a serious increase of agrarian crime in Ireland; and whether, in these circumstances, it is intended to continue to reduce the strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Cannot the hon. Member specify the district he refers to and not make such vague charges?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI think the Answer will be found to Jo that. My 966 attention has been directed to the newspaper reports of the charges of the Judges of Assize to Grand Juries. I am unable to say how far these newspaper reports are an accurate representation of the language actually used by the learned Judges. Generally speaking, they referred to the peaceable and satisfactory condition of the country, but with respect to the county Galway and county Cork, and portions of the counties of Limerick and Kerry, the Judges' remarks were not satisfactory. The condition of these districts is engaging my most careful consideration, and I am taking special steps to ascertain the facts concerning each of them. In reply to the concluding inquiry, the Inspector-General of Constabulary, whom I have consulted, is of opinion that there is no present necessity for altering the police arrangements already made and provided for. I am making further inquiry into this matter also.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the recent assizes in Ulster more crime was dealt with than in the rest of Ireland altogether?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)What agrarian crime has been committed in the county of Cork?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI must ask for notice of that.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the one portion of Kerry referred to the dissatisfaction arises from the fact that the landlords want twenty-four years purchase for first-term rents?