HC Deb 30 July 1888 vol 329 cc744-5
MR. JORDAN (Clare, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that, in gaining possession of Cleary's house, and Pat Spellassy's and James Madigan's, of Carnaculla, on the 19th instant, the Sheriff, Mr. Croker, and his Emergency bailiff's tore down their furniture, threw it into the yard, and broke it into pieces; whether he has been informed that the Sheriff was remonstrated with at Spellassy's, without effect; whether he will state the statute or authority warranting such destruction of tenants' scant chattels; and, whether, if further evictions occur, he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such action by bailiffs?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The Divisional Magistrate reports that the allegation apparently contained in this Question, to the effect that the furniture of the tenants was wantonly or unnecessarily broken, is absolutely without foundation. He further adds that the houses had been all but emptied by the tenants, and fully prepared for resistance, little being left in them beyond a few heavy fixtures.

MR. JORDAN

As the right hon. Gentleman believes the officials and does not believe me, a Member of this House, may I ask him whether he will hold an inquiry on the spot into the matter?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no desire to draw a comparison between the veracity of the hon. Gentleman and the officials. I may say that I believe the officials.

MR. JORDAN

I think the right hon. Gentleman has given a most ungentlemanly reply. Will he, then, grant an inquiry? I think, Mr. Speaker, it is most undignified for a Member of Her Majesty's Government—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

I rise upon a question of Order, Sir. I wish to ask, whether the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant is entitled to say in this House that on a comparison of veracity between my hon. Friend who sits below me and officials in Ireland, he believes the officials in Ireland and flouts the testimony of my hon. Friend?

MR. SPEAKER

I think that the hon. Member misunderstood the observation of the right hon. Gentleman. The hon. Gentleman has appealed to me as to what the right hon. Gentleman said; and I heard the right hon. Gentleman say that he had no desire to pit the veracity of the hon. Member against the veracity of the officials.

MR. SEXTON

But he said he believed the officials.

MR. JORDAN

rose to put a further Question on the subject.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! I call upon the hon. Member to put the next Question. [Cries of "Don't; don't ask it!"]

MR. JORDAN

did not put the next two Questions which stood in his name on the Paper.