CAPTAIN CRAIGTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at the recent commission of assize for county West Meath held in Mullingar, Mr. Justice Gibson was refused any report as to the general condition of the county with regard to peace and order by the officers of the police, that the report handed to him was confined to specially reported crimes only, although in other counties information was given to the judge dealing with cattle driving, boycotting, and other forms of similar intimidation; and can he state why this information was withheld in this instance.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that Mr. Justice Gibson was supplied with the full returns of crime for the county, in the usual form, and that, in accordance with the established 226 practice, the county inspector was present to afford any explanation of the returns and to give any further information as to the state of the county in his possession which the learned Judge might require. I am not aware of any foundation for the suggestion that information was withheld from Mr. Justice Gibson, and, so far as I am aware, the learned Judge himself has made no suggestion to that effect.