§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Grand Jury of the King's County, on Wednesday the 9th instant, in dealing with a compensation claim by Mr. Thomas Hackett, of Ballycumber, King's County, for the alleged malicious burning of a quantity of hay, refused to allow counsel for opposing ratepayers to 1801 cross-examine Mr. Hackett as to the probability of malicious motive, and also refused to hear counsel upon the question of extending the area upon which the compensation granted by the Grand Jury should be levied beyond the limit of the parish of Ballycumber; whether the silencing of counsel by the Grand Jury immediately followed upon an inquiry by one of the body, Mr. Vaughan, D.L., as to the names of the parties for whom counsel appeared, and a declaration that one of the ratepayers concerned was the secretary of the local branch of the Land League; whether the Government approve of the conduct of the Grand Jury; and, whether they will take any action in regard to the levying of the award, considering that counsel on behalf of the ratepayers was prevented from acting on their instructions?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he had no official information on the matter, his attention having only been called to it that day by the hon. Member's Question. It was not in the power of the Government to take any action in the matter, and it was not his duty to express either approval or disapproval on the subject.