§ MR. PARNELL (Cork)I wish, Sir, to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a Question, of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether he can give the House any information with regard to the number of evictions which have taken place in Ireland since the date of the last Return—that is to say, since the 30th of June, which is the last Return that we have?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I have done my best to obtain the information which the hon. Member asks for, although I only received his Notice at 4 o'clock. The figures which I now give are only approximate, and of course the House is aware that the Returns of evictions include evictions for a great many causes, and in a great many cases besides those for non-payment of rent. Since the 30th of June 1,037 families, including 5,300 persons, have been evicted. Out of those 651 families, including 3,636 persons, had been readmitted as tenants or caretakers. The balance, therefore, actually evicted is 357 families, including 1,675 persons.
§ MR. PARNELLCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me up to what date that information comes?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI believe it is up to the end of last week—that is to say, practically up to date.