HC Deb 06 August 1889 vol 339 cc546-8
MR. SEXTON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what particulars he can give of the recent evictions on Lord Clanricarde's estate in the Portumna district; whether any further evictions there are in contemplation; what offers of settlement, if any, were made on the part of the landlord and of the tenants respectively; and whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of any correspondence between any member or officer of the Irish Government and any persons acting in the interest of the landlord, or of the tenants, with respect to this estate?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not in possession of information which will enable me to answer the question as to further evictions being in contemplation. I understand that a placard offering terms was put up in the district, and that the tenants evicted on June 19 were prepared to accept them if evicted tenants were reinstated. The placard is to the following effect:— As to tenants holding under £50 annual rent—(a) those paying the rent due up to November 1, 1888, to receive an abatement of 4s. in the £1 on all they owe; (b) those not paying up to November 1, 1888, an abatement of 3s. in the £1 on each whole year's rent paid. The cases of tenants holding over £50 annual rent and tenants in towns to be dealt with separately, and as the circumstances of each may require. From tenants who could reasonably satisfy the agent that they were unable to then pay more, half a year's rent would be accepted and fair time given to further reduce the debt. The foregoing abatements not to apply to judicial rents. I am not aware of any correspondence which it would be proper to lay on the Table of the House.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)

Have not a large number of persons been evicted, upon whose behalf more favourable terms than those which the agents have since expressed their willingness to accept, were offered?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am aware that a large number of persons have been offered terms from time to time; but I cannot charge my memory with the fact whether they were in excess or less than those which have been recently offered. I will be glad to find out if I can.

MR. SEXTON

The right hon. Gentleman says he is not aware of any correspondence which he can lay upon the Table. Is it not the fact that the evictions upon the Portumna Estate of Lord Clanricarde have been restrained by means of a correspondence between the right hon. Gentleman himself, as the Head of the Executive in Ireland, and the agents of this estate?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware, speaking off-hand, that there is any correspondence of the kind alluded to by the right hon. Gentleman. But if there is, I still maintain that it comes under the same category.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

I received only to-day a letter from Bishop Healy, in which he stated that he intended his letters to the Chief Secretary to be made public.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. SEXTON

I wish, if possible, to ascertain upon what principle the right hon. Gentleman maintains before this House that letters addressed to him as the working Head of the Executive in Ireland in regard to the enforcement of the law and of legal rights are to be withheld, if they are preserved in the official records?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It must rest in the discretion of the Head of the Department to publish the correspondence or not; but I entirely deny that the correspondence is official to which reference has been made.