HC Deb 24 April 1907 vol 173 cc48-9
MR. HAVILAND BURKE (King's. County, Tullamore)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether in view of the allegations that exceptional malicious injuries are inflicted in King's County, he will inquire whether it is the fact that the injuries, both malicious and accidental, caused by tramps and roving bands of vagrants have been complained of publicly at meetings of the King's County County Council; and whether he will issue instructions to the constabulary to exercise greater vigilance in the repression of this evil, and to be careful not to return injuries to property caused by vagrants as agrarian offences resulting from the propaganda of a Nationalist organisation.

MR. BIRRELL

The police authorities inform me that cases of malicious injury in King's County are not exceptionally numerous or grave. No recent case of injury—malicious or accidental—has been attributed to tramps or vagrants. The police are fully alive to their duties with regard to vagrants, and there are no grounds for apprehending that offences committed by such persons will be regarded as agrarian.

MR. LONSDALE

Are injuries caused by vagrants returned as agrarian offences?

MR. BIRRELL

The police tell me that they take great pains to avoid that.

MR. HAVILAND BURKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman have inquiry made as to the extent of the injuries done to property by roving bands of tramps?

MR. BIRRELL

Yes, Sir.