§ MR. CHAELES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, in certain disturbed districts in Ireland, and in cases where disorderly crowds have to be dispersed, or where graziers and other persons obnoxious to the United Irish League have to be protected from active intimidation and assault, the Royal Irish Constabulary have received instructions from headquarters that under no circumstances are they to make arrests, and that, if it is necessary to take legal proceedings to vindicate the law, it must be done by summons; and whether, in view of the failure of the police to maintain order in those districts, he will see that these instructions are revoked and that the police are armed with powers as full as are accorded to the police in England and Scotland.
§ MR. BIRRELLNo such instructions have been issued to the police.