§ Mr. BYLESasked the Chief Secretary whether the records of the recent Spring assizes reveal the fact that in the 32 counties of Ireland the number of indictments only reached a total of 138, or about 35 per million of the population; and whether, in view of this marked immunity from crime in this part of the United Kingdom, the Government will consider the wisdom of repealng The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of indictments at Spring Assizes for 31 counties in Ireland and at the February Commission for the county of Dublin was 224, or about 60 per million of the population of these counties. These figures are exclusive of the cities of Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Londonderry. As regards the concluding portion of the question, I have nothing to add to the opinions which I have already expressed in Debate as to the wisdom of 1623W retaining the Act referred to permanently on the Statute Book.