§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Dr. Davis, J.P., swore an affidavit, for the purposes of the Arrears Act, that one Reilly was bonâ fide tenant of a holding near to Kingscourt, County Cavan; whether Dr. Davis on the same night induced Reilly to sign a declaration that he was only a caretaker; whether Dr. Davis has signed over his interest in his property to his sons, but still retains control of it; and, whether he will direct an inquiry to be held into the facts of this case?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer the Question. Dr. Davis swore an affidavit for the purposes of the Arrears Act, which proceeded on the assumption that Reilly was a tenant. Reilly did contemporaneously sign a declaration that he was only a caretaker. I have already stated that, in the opinion of the Attorney General, a prosecution under the Arrears Act could not be successfully sustained. As Dr. Davis has become a bankrupt, if he has made any fraudulent transfer of his property, it is the province of the Bankruptcy Court to investigate that matter.