§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked whether the Chief Secretary is aware that a man named John Wilson, when being prosecuted at Cavan petty sessions on 25th February for making a false attestation on a recruiting form, by saying he was not married when in fact he was married, made a statement to the effect that he believed that when a Roman Catholic was married to a Protestant it was no marriage, and that he had explained his position to his priest, who had told him there was no marriage and had advised him to answer "No" to the question, "Are you married or single," in the attestation paper; and whether, in view of the widespread feelings which have resulted from the Ne Temere decree in Ireland, the right hon. Gentleman will say what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWilson made the statement attributed to him, but the presiding magistrate, who was himself a Roman Catholic, expressed his belief that Wilson knew perfectly well he was married, and he was convicted and sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment. The existing law is quite sufficient to meet such cases.