§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Government, in coming to the determination to allow the Peace Preservation Act of 1881 to lapse, had its attention directed to the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose Burghs when the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was considered in Committee of this House on 18th September, 1893, that he did not regard the Act as a measure of coercion but essentially as a measure of police regulation, and that it was from that point of view he desired to see it renewed; whether he is aware that the inclusion of the Act in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was annually defended by successive Governments on the ground that it was required as a measure of police precaution; and whether the police authorities were consulted before the decision to permit the Act to lapse was arrived at.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have no information as to whether the Government had its attention directed to the statement referred to in the first part of the Question. As regards the concluding inquiry, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the Question of the hon. and gallant Member for East Down on 4th March last.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGWhen the right hon. Gentleman has leisure time, will he read the debate?
§ MR. BIRRELLYes, when I do have leisure.