HC Deb 21 March 1906 vol 154 cc390-1
MR. CHARLES CRAIG

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that there ‡ See (4) Debates, cliii., 903–4. are sixteen persons in county Limerick who are under constant police protection; and whether he can say what are the causes which necessitate police protection in so many cases.

MR. BRYCE

I am informed by the police authorities that there are only two persons under constant police protection in county Limerick, and that each of these persons is the caretaker of an evicted farm. There are, however, fourteen other persons who receive, not constant, but occasional police protection by patrols. The need has usually arisen from agrarian disputes.

MR. LUNDON (Limerick, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Judges of Assize and the County Court Judge have lately pronounced Limerick to be one of the most peaceable districts of Ireland, and that frequently during the last five years they have been presented with white gloves because there have been no prisoners for trial.

MR. BRYCE

I think that is so.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

asked if the Question was in order, and whether, as framed, it did not make the hon. Member putting it responsible for the facts? Was it right that bogus charges should be put on the Paper in this way?

* MR. SPEAKER

I do not see anything in the form of the hon. Member's Question to object to.