§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has received information in reference to the estate of Mrs. Blake, at Renvyle, to the effect that her tenants, John Heany and Patrick Heany, are under sentence of eviction for one year's rent, these tenants being clothed in rags, having all the appearance of starvation, and dwelling in wretched cabins; whether it is a fact that the majority of the tenants on the estate have as their only food Indian meal, and, in some cases, a little milk; and, whether he still adheres to the statement that the tenants have potatoes for sale? The hon. Member further asked whether the Chief Secretary had seen a letter written by Mr. William Thompson, who was the Special Correspondent of "The 1119 Standard" last year in Ireland, concerning the statements made by Mr. Bernard Becker, the Special Correspondent of "The Daily News?"
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that he had seen the letter referred to; but before seeing it he had ordered special inquiries to be made into this subject, and he must therefore ask the hon. Member to put the Question off for a few days.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORsaid, he had put the Question upon the Paper several days ago, and that it was practically a repetition of one to which he had got an answer which proved to be incorrect.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERthought that if the hon. Member said the answer was incorrect, he was taking matters for granted. He wished the inquiry should be made by some person not living on the spot, and had thus been obliged to give some time to it.