§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will ascertain from the constabulary authorities whether the condition of a large number of persons in Ireland who struggle to maintain their freedom and independence is pitiable in the extreme; whether these authorities are of opinion that the ordinary law is powerless to supply a remedy; and what steps, if any, it is proposed to take to restore confidence in the law, and to ameliorate the condition of such persons.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt would be contrary to practice to state the nature of the Reports furnished by the constabulary authorities for the information of the Government, but I have no reason to believe that the condition of any large number of persons in Ireland is pitiable in the extreme. In every case in which persons are known to be subject to intimidation or unlawful pressure all possible steps are being taken, and will be taken, by the police authorities for their protection.