§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the evictions which were carried out on the Skinners' Estate, near Draperstown, County Derry, in April last, Whether he can now state the amount of expenses incurred in sending the 250 policemen, County Inspector, District Inspectors, Resident Magistrates, and Divisional Magistrate from their different stations to and from the scene of the evictions, the expenses incurred by them during their stay in the neighbourhood, and the amount paid for cars and other vehicles employed by them in connection with these evictions; and, the number of persons then evicted, and the amount due for rent and costs respectively?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)said: The cost to the public of the Royal Irish Constabulary, both officers and men, present at the evictions referred to was, omitting fractions of a pound, as follows:—Railway fare, £90; car hire, £185; extra pay, £196, or a total of 1724 £471; and for the Resident Magistrate a sum of £2 2s. The number of persons evicted was 36. The Government cannot take it upon themselves to endeavour to answer the remaining portion of the Question. It is obvious that when called upon to assist in enforcing legal process the Government cannot be influenced by the proportion which the cost of doing so bears to the amount due.
§ MR. M'CARTANasked, whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman was aware that the tenants evicted number six, and that the rent due was £118?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he was not aware of the amount of rent due, and did not see the necessity for inquiry.