§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the Constabulary Return of offences committed in Ireland from December 1st, 1904, to April 19th, 1905, what steps are taken by the constabulary authority to verify the genuineness of the eighty-five offences classed as intimidation under the head of threatening letters or notices.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALTER LONG, Bristol, S.)These cases are first inquired into by the local police under the supervision of the county inspector. The cases are then submitted to the Inspector-General. If any doubt exists, they are re-investigated, and no cases are included in the Return unless he is satisfied that they are bona fide.
§ MR. FLYNNWhat steps are taken by the constabulary authorities to test whether in these cases of alleged intimidation the people complaining are not themselves responsible for sending out the notices.
§ MR. WALTER LONGEvery possible step is taken to get at the facts.