§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, after the recent contest for the election of Poor Law Guardians in the neighbourhood of Clough Keenagh, county Longford, twelve electors who voted against the nominees of a resident landlord were refused the right of turbary which they had enjoyed for years; and, whether he will take steps, at future elections, to protect voters from being punished for voting according to their conscientious convictions?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have received a telegram from which it appears that the facts are substantially as stated, except that there was no right of turbary in question, but a yearly rental, which the landlord refused to renew. The Government cannot, of course, take any steps to compel a landlord to let a turbary to particular individuals. With regard to future elections, I have, on more than one occasion, already referred to a measure by which the Government hopes to be able to secure protection for voters from interference from any quarter in the exercise of the Poor Law franchise.