HC Deb 13 May 1881 vol 261 cc408-9
MR. DALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the Resolutions passed by the Dean and Clergy of Listowel, in conference assembled, on Wednesday the 4th instant:— Resolved (1). That this conference expresses its unqualified condemnation of the practice resorted to on several estates within the deanery of issuing writs from the superior courts for the recovery of rents which are notoriously excessive and exorbitant, thus involving the unfortunate tenants in heavy and to many of them ruinous costs: Resolved (2). That the evictions which have lately taken place in the district call for the reprobation of every humane and right minded man; that one of the evictions on the property of Mr. Gunn Mahony, an absentee, was invested with all those characteristics which entitle it to be described as an act of barbarous inhumanity, the father of a large family having been flung on the roadside in un apparently dying state, without a home, and without any shelter whatever; Resolved (3). That profound tranquillity, perfect order, and peace have up to this prevailed over and represent the normal condition of North Kerry; but that this conference cannot contemplate without horror what may be the result should the extermination of a law-abiding and industrious people continue and the execution of the writs referred to with their revolting concomitants be persevered in; and, whether, if on inquiry he ascertains the statements above mentioned to be correct, and that what is true of the district referred to is equally true of many other districts in Ireland, he will feel it his duty to advise Her Majesty's Government to immediately pass a Bill for the temporary suspension of evictions pend- ing the passing of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill through the Houses of Parliament?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, I cannot answer this Question to-day. I hoped to get information of this particular case, but I have not yet received it, though it may be received in a few days. But I may say that I could not answer the last part of the Question. I do not think that any Member of the Government ought to be asked what is the course he will take in consultation with his Colleagues on public matters. Of course, the hon. Member may ask a Member in charge of a Bill what course he intends to take; but it is not a usual thing to ask a Member of the Government what advice he will give.