§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his notice that the receipt by individuals of threatening letters, or affecting whom or the classes they represent intimidatory resolutions have been passed by branches of the United Irish League, or denunciatory language has been used at meetings of that organisation, has not infrequently been followed by overt outrage on the persons or property of such individuals or classes; and whether he will state what measures have been adopted, or are in contemplation, for the more effective suppression in future of acts and occurrences which directly lead up to and are conducive to outrage.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary 92 informs me that it sometimes happens that offences are committed against the person or property of people who have received threatening letters or have been the subject of intimidatory resolutions or speeches as reported in the Press. In the future, as heretofore, all possible measures within the ordinary law will be taken for the punishment of persons against whom there is evidence of using intimidation, and I may add that the police invariably take every necessary precaution for the protection of the persons and property of individuals who may have been subjected to any form of intimidation.
CAPTAIN CRAIGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long the Government intend to carry on the ordinary law, which has proved ineffective?
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGAnd may I ask whether the inactivity of the Irish Government in following up crime of this sort is part of the policy of the right hon. Gentleman of associating the people of Ireland with the administration of justice?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.