§ MR. MATTHEW KENNYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If application has been made to the Irish Government for a force of constabulary to aid in the eviction of seventy families on the property of Sir John Stewart, near Carrick-more, in county Tyrone; if he is aware that the landlord, notwithstanding the great agricultural depression, has refused any abatement of rent to these tenants; and, if the Government will be prepared to institute inquiry into the justice of Sir John Stewart's proceedings before allowing the police to be used in carrying them into execution?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)Eviction decrees against 26—not 70—families on this estate have been placed in the hands of the Sheriff, who has applied for, and has been granted, police protection when serving them. I understand the landlord has declined to give a reduction, on the ground that the tenants have judicial leases, and that he believes them to be able to pay. The reduction which the tenants asked was 50 per cent.