§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the condition of affairs indicated by the progressive increase since January, 1907, in the volume of crimes committed with firearms; whether he is aware that between the years 1881 and 1906 the enforcement of the provisions of the Peace Preservation Act of the former year by successive Governments was accompanied by a large decrease in this form of crime; and whether it is proposed to continue to rely upon the provisions of the ordinary law in the expectation that an improved condition of affairs in this respect will result.
§ MR. BIRRELLAs I have already stated, I am aware that during the past two years there has been an increase in the number of offences in which firearms have been used. It is also 93 the fact that between the years 1881 and 1906, while the Peace Preservation Act was in force, there was a large decrease in the number of offences of firing at the person and firing into dwelling-houses. How far, if at all, that decrease may have been due to the operation of the Peace Preservation Act rather than to the general improvement in the state of the country is a matter of opinion, but I would call attention to the fact that during the same period there was an even greater proportionate decrease in all forms of agrarian crime, and this latter decrease can scarcely be attributed to the Act.
§ EARL WINTERTONAre we to understand that it is the view of the right hon. Gentleman that there has been a gradual increase in the peaceful state of the country since the present Government came into power?
§ MR. BIRRELLIf the noble Lord reads my Answer he will find I did not say that.