§ MR. DILLON(for Mr. CHILLY) (Mayo, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact, as stated in The Evening Standard of 6th June, that Her Majesty's gunboat Banterer has been ordered to proceed from Westport, County Mayo, with the Sheriff of Mayo, his bailiffs, a force of police, and a Resident Magistrate, to carry out 12 evictions on Clare Island, 20 evictions on Innisturk, and a number on Inniskea, in Clare Bay; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to bring in the assistance of the naval forces to aid the soldiers and the police who are now engaged in carrying out evictions in Ireland?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I think it not improbable that the statement of fact in the first paragraph is correct, though, as the Question is down without Notice, I have no specific information on the subject. The Government will not hesitate, in case of necessity, to employ any force at their disposal to carry out the decrees of the Courts of Law.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer me this Question— 1229 whether the Government, before they take this step, will make inquiry whether during the greater part of last year the whole population of the Island were not supported by public charity connected with this country?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am perfectly willing to make inquiry on the point, though at this moment I fail to see its bearing upon the Question which the hon. Member puts to me.