§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (for Mr. FINIGAN)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the many evictions for non-payment of rent recently carried out and in course of being carried out in the Mohill Union, in the county of Leitrim; and, whether he will cause an inquiry respecting those evictions to be instituted, with a view of ascertaining the amount of rent as compared with the Poor Law valuation?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERPrecisely the same Question was asked in the names of the hon. Members for Ennis and Cavan last Tuesday, and I must refer the hon. Member to my answer.
§ MR. PARNELLsaid, in reference to the answer which the right hon. Gentleman had just given, he would ask whether he could not obtain information with regard to the rates in the Poor Law valuation; whether he could not direct the constabulary to obtain the information from the officer of the clerk of the peace in the different counties, and also from the clerks of the Unions? The information with regard to the Poor Law valuations of the Union and the information with regard to the rents might be obtained.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERUndoubtedly, it will be in the power of the Government to obtain through the police the Poor Law valuation; but I doubt whether we have a right to compel an answer as to the amount of rent. I fear we have no official means of ascertaining that, but I will inquire. I shall be very glad to be able to lay the information asked for upon the Table of the House.