§ MR. HENRY J. WILSON (York, W. R. Holmfirth)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the cost of the battering ram recently obtained from Alexander Brown, of Derry, by the Donegal Constabulary; of the shields made at Patterson's in Derry; and of the pickaxes and other eviction apparatus obtained at Crockett's in that city?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) University of DublinThere would appear to be some inaccuracies in the question in regard to the firms from whom the articles were obtained. But I am informed that the total cost of the articles required was £48 18s. 2½d.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I wish to know if any reply has been sent to the telegram sent yesterday to the Irish Office by certain Members of Parliament who had been visiting the scene of the evictions at Falcarragh; and, who asked to be permitted to inspect the battering ram, in order to see that full value was given for the money expended upon it?
§ MR. MADDENThat does not arise out of the question upon the paper; but I have no information upon the subject.
Subsequently,
§ MR. SEXTONAs I see the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary in his place I wish to put a question to him which the Solicitor General for Ireland was unable to answer. I wish to know whether any reply has been sent to the telegrams of certain Members of Parliament requesting permission to inspect the battering ram at Falcarragh?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I did receive a telegram, but I did not think that it required any answer. It was not in the terms suggested by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to enable Members of Parliament to see this engine?
§ MR. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to allow us to look at this battering ram during the holidays?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think there is any objection to allow hon. Members to see it, but I should not like to answer the question off-hand.