§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has seen a letter, signed "George E. Murphy," in the Times of 29th July, stating that on Sunday, 21st July, he heard his parish priest assert at mass, on the authority of the Roman Catholic Bishops, that the captain of a Gaelic Association Football Club, near Drogheda, had been sent by Government a cheque for £50, to induce his members to become enrolled as Fenians; and, what action the Government propose to take with regard to this alleged assertion of the priest?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere is no foundation for the absurd statement referred to, and no steps appear to be called for in the matter, except to give it a direct contradiction.
§ MR. JOHNSTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that it was an absurd statement on the part of this parish priest?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.