§ MR. BLANEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at Derrycorr Lurgan, County Armagh, a meeting of cottiers and labourers was recently held to set forth their grievances, and to complain that the Land Act of 1887 made no provision to enable them to purchase their small holdings when the immediate lessors purchased under the Ashbourne Act; and, if the Government would take the subject into their consideration, with a view of adjusting the matters complained of by the cottiers and labourers of County Armagh?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Government are not aware of any meeting of the kind referred to in the question. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the money voted by the Ashbourne Act is for the purchase of tenants' holdings, and it cannot be diverted to any other object without diminishing the amount which would be thus available.