43. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if, owing to the failure of the police to cope with cattle stealing and other agrarian outrages in Ireland, a defence association has been established which supplies men for the protection of property; and if he has any information with regard to the extent of the operations of this association, the number of men employed, and the degree, if any, in which the association cooperates with the police?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo new association of the nature referred to has been established. The hon. Member no doubt has in mind the Property Defence Association which was established many years ago with the object of supplying caretakers for evicted farms when, owing to local causes, caretakers could not be found in the neighbourhood of the farms themselves. The Property Defence Association is a private association, and I am unable to give the information asked for in the latter part of the question.
Mr. F. HALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether from 1903 to the end of 1910 the number of agrarian crimes each year was lower than for any period from 1885 to this date?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have here the total number of agrarian offences. In 1913 it shows a falling off of nearly 40 per cent. compared with 1912. The figures are: 1912, 307; 1913, 190.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put the question down.