§ MR. GEORGE CLARK (Belfast, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what proportion of the total number of cases of cattle-driving reported by the constabulary down to the end of September, 1908, have been recorded in the official statistics of crime; and will he state what are the considerations that regulate the inclusion of some only of such cases in, and the exclusion of others from, these statistical returns.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Inspector-General informs me that of 908 cases of cattle-driving reported up to 30th September last, sixteen cases in which proceedings were taken on indictment were recorded in the Returns of Serious Crime, under the head of Unlawful Assembly. In addition, the cases in which compensation was awarded for malicious injury accompanying cattle-drives were 88 recorded under the proper heads, but the Inspector-General is unable to state the number of cases so recorded without a detailed examination of each particular case. The principles which govern the recording of serious offences were fully explained in the Answers given to Questions put on 26th February and 18th March last, to which I would refer the hon. Member.