HC Deb 05 February 1908 vol 183 c869
MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Down, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many agrarian outrages have been reported to the police in Ireland during 1907; in how many cases were arrests effected; in how many cases were convictions obtained; and in how many cases were the police overpowered.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.

The number of agrarian offences reported in the year 1907 was 372, which includes 182 threatening letters or notices. In forty-two cases, offenders were arrested or summoned; in five of these convictions were obtained, and in twelve the proceedings are pending.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for the small number of evictions as compared with the number of cases brought into Court?

MR. BIRRELL

I must have notice of that.

SIR F. BANBURY (City of London)

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph of the Question.

MR. BIRRELL

I have not the particulars here.