§ MR. DEASY (Mayo, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that the greater number of tenants on Clare Island, county Mayo, have been served with, notice of eviction; and, if it is a fact that many of those families are known by the Irish Government to be in want of the necessaries of life, and to be now in receipt of charitable relief?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I am informed, Sir, that 27 processes for non-payment of rent have been served on the tenants in Clare Island, where most of the people owe large arrears. The time which has elapsed since Notice was given of the Question by the hon. Member has not been sufficient to enable me to ascertain the exact facts as to the second paragraph; but, from circumstances within the knowledge of the Government, I think it may reasonably be assumed that some of the tenants who have been processed for rent are in receipt of charitable relief. If it should prove to be really so, I must say it appears to me strange—to use no stronger term—that such a step should be resorted to at a time when the public are coming forward with subscriptions towards the relief of these same people, and when the Government have thought it incumbent upon them to bring in a measure for the same purpose.