CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the increase of cattle-drives in certain parts of Ireland, he will issue with the Votes once a week an official Return giving particulars of the time, place, and number of arrests, if any, punishment awarded, if any, distance away stock was recovered, injury, if any, amount of compensation claimed, steps taken by the police to prevent further recurrence, if any, and further details for the information of honourable Members.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am not aware of any precedent for furnishing with the Votes a weekly Return such as the hon. and gallant Member asks for, nor do I see that any good purpose would be 1280 served by doing so. Moreover, the weekly preparation of such a Return would impose a considerable amount of work upon the constabulary authorities, whose hands are fully occupied. I may observe that I have already, in answer to Questions, given the number of cattle-drives which have taken place in each month of the present year.