§ MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the total of the sums paid and claimed for the transport of police and military to aid in effecting the late evictions at Woodford, county Galway; what was the total amount of rent due by the tenants evicted; and, so near as he can ascertain, what was the amount of the reduction in rent claimed by the evicted tenants?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The cost was a little over £1,350—of course, a very exceptional amount, due to several special causes. I cannot take it upon myself to attempt to answer the other parts of the Question; but no doubt the rent due was much less. It is obvious that the Government, when called upon to assist in enforcing legal process, cannot be influenced by the proportion which the cost of doing so bears to the amount due.