LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNEasked, When the Returns relating to Irish crime would be circulated? and said, he was sorry to again trouble their Lordships on the question; but he did not think that the fault of his being obliged to do so lay with him. He had examined the Returns for 1875–6, and found that nearly all the information he had asked for was contained in less than two sheets of paper. The further information which he sought to procure must exist in the Office of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, and he could not help thinking that the Returns might be easily made in the form he desired within 10 days. The delay could only arise from wilful neglect. His object in asking for these Returns was to show their Lordships and the public in general that the statements which he made on the occasion of the debate on the 849 dreadful murder of the late Lord Leitrim were not exaggerated, but were deserving the serious attention of the Government. He would like the noble Lord, who would reply on the part of the Government, to state what amount of crime had been committed in Ireland since the death of Lord Leitrim; for it was said during the debate he had referred to, that if the condition of things did not improve, the Government might have to apply to Parliament for extra powers to enforce the law. As a matter of fact, no improvement had taken place. He did not wish to trouble their Lordships with statistics, in addition to those which he presented a fortnight ago; but he might state that since then the steward of a gentleman in the neighbourhood in which he resided had been shot at, the bullet going into the mattress on which he and his wife were sleeping. Fortunately, they had bought a new and higher bed, or it would have gone through their bodies. He had also heard, within the last few days, that Westmeath and Meath were again becoming dangerous. A friend of his informed him that he had received several threatening letters—a thing which had never happened to him before. Other cases of violence and opposition to the law had arisen, and the terror which prevailed was so great that it would be impossible for him to enter into details; because, if he were to give the name of individuals, serious consequences might ensue. He should be glad if the Government could hold out any hope that, while they were so perpetually engaged in trying to bring about good government in Eastern Europe, they would endeavour to afford some security for life in a country nearer home.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONassured the noble Lord that no unnecessary delay had taken place in acquiring the information asked for and presenting it to Parliament. On the contrary, arrangements had been made with the printers that the proofs should be sent in instalments, in order that no time might be lost. Several instalments of the Report had been forwarded to the printers, so that he could say the Report was in course of preparation, and he hoped to be able to lay it on the Table of the House in a short time.