§ MR. MOONEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that during the year 1905 there were fifty-three cases of malicious injury to property, including twenty-three cases of arson and four cases of killing and maiming of cattle, known to the police in the county of Yorkshire; if he can state, when the figures for the year 1906 will be available, or if he can now state whether there is any diminution of this class of crime in this county.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe figures stated are substantially accurate. The figures for 1906 are not yet available, so I cannot say whether they show any diminution.
§ MR. LANE-FOX (Yorkshire, W. R., Barkston Ash)May I ask whether the proportion of crime to population in Yorkshire is not one which the Government would gladly see attained or even approached in the county represented by the hon. Member who put this Question?
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)The proportion is much smaller.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proportion of crime to population in Ireland is far less than in England?
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, I believe that is so. But we are always glad to see a diminution.
§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)Is it not the fact that the Returns show that in Ireland for many crimes committed people are not brought to justice?
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDAnd is it not the fact that much of the crime in Ireland is due to the circulation of bad whisky which some people here know about?
§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)The fox run to earth !