HC Deb 07 March 1890 vol 342 cc246-7
Mr. MAC NEILL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state how many evictions are fixed to be carried out on the Olphert Estate, in the County of Donegal, before the 28th instant; whether the pending evictions will include those cases in the district of Glassercoo, which were abandoned last May at the suggestion of the Government; are there any changes in the circumstances of the tenants since that warrant their eviction now; is he aware that several of these tenants have not now and had not for some years one head of cattle on their holdings; and whether, having regard to the distress and destitution of the people and the prevalence of influenza of a serious form in the district, the Government are prepared to lend the forces of the Crown to carry out these evictions?

* Mr. A. J. BALFOUR

It appears that 23 warrants issued against tenants on the estate mentioned will expire on the 28th inst. Of these, 17 are in respect of cases in the Glassercoo district, which were abandoned last May in the hope that a settlement might be arrived at. I understand there is no change in the circumstances of the tenants since last May. They are represented as owning one and two cows each, some sheep, and in many cases a horse. No distress prevails, neither is there a prevalence of influenza of a serious form in the district.

Me. MAC NEILL

Were the intended evictions in the district of Glassercoo abandoned last May at the suggestion of the Government?

* Mr. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member made that assertion in his question, and if he wants information in regard to that assertion he must put a notice on the Paper. As to the statement that the tenants had cattle, I have received the information through the usual sources.

Mr. MAC NEILL

Is it not within the knowledge of the right hon. Gentleman that these evictions were abandoned last May at the suggestion of the Government?

* Mr. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member asks me a question with regard to a transaction a year ago. I have not the slightest idea; but if he pats a question on the Paper I will inquire.