§ SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as regards the Returns for Ejectments in Ireland, quoted by him, Whether they related to the scheduled districts only, or to the whole of Ireland; and, whether he can state if they all relate to agricultural tenancies; what proportion were for over-holding leases; and what proportion made by middlemen; also in how many cases there was more than two years' rent due?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe Return is substantially the same as the one I quoted from, and relates to the whole of Ireland. I was mistaken in saying that all the cases related to agricultural 1257 tenancies, for, on inquiry, I find that out of 1,060 evictions in this year 25 were in towns and cities. The Return is, however, necessarily incomplete. It does not give all the evictions that have taken place in Ireland, but only those reported to the Constabulary, and many take place without the Constabulary knowing anything of them. I cannot state what number of evictions relate to one holding; but a Return which was ordered by my Predecessor, and which I hope will be in the hands of Members in a day or two, will show the number of evictions for causes other than nonpayment of rent; nor can I say what proportion were for over holding of leases or made by middlemen. With regard to the Return, I am taking, and the officials in Dublin are taking, all the steps they can to get it as soon as possible, but both the Local Government Board and the Constabulary are very hard at work; and, between keeping the people alive and keeping the peace, I am sorry to say the Returns must, to some extent, give way.