§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, If he has seen a paragraph in the London papers that morning describing a distressing scene which occurred at the Ballylanders Petty Sessions, County Limerick, yes- 885 terday, when, owing to the refusal of Mr. Clifford Lloyd to grant bail to five farmers convicted of assault, one of them, an old man, fainted, and nearly lost his life, and another was pronounced by a doctor to be so bad that imprisonment would endanger his life?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON), in reply, said, he had no information on the subject. The hon. Member's faith in the Press appeared to be greater than that of some of the hon. Member's Colleagues.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORgave Notice that he would call attention to the matter on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill.
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, it was quite impossible that the information could be obtained in time for the hon. Member's Motion; and he hoped he would abandon his intention of raising the question on the Appropriation Bill.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORsaid, if the hon. and learned Gentleman would undertake that an inquiry should be held into the conduct of Mr. Clifford Lloyd on this and on various other occasions he should not proceed with his Motion.
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, it was impossible he could give that assurance. He would inquire into the circumstances of the special case referred to, and communicate the result to the hon. Member privately, if practicable.