§ CAPTAIN J. CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his knowledge by the constabulary authorities that there has been a considerable traffic in firearms in Ireland since the withdrawal of the Peace Preservation Act towards the end of 1906; and what was the number of prosecutions instituted in 1907 against persons for keeping firearms without the 10s. licence required by the Gun Licence Act, 1870.
§ MR. CHERRYMy right hon. friend stated, in reply to a Question on 12th instant, that there has doubtless been some increase in the traffic in firearms in Ireland, but that in the opinion of the police authorities the increase is not more than would ordinarily follow the removal of a restriction as to carrying arms. I am informed by the Board of Inland Revenue that the number of prosecutions instituted against persons in Ireland for carrying guns without licence in 1907 was 252.