§ MR. LEAasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the boycotting of the Protestant shopkeepers at Youghal who refused to obey the dictation of the National League and put up their shutters once a week still continues; and if, among other hard. ships, an old woman of 70 years of age has been deprived of her means of living, and an important factory prevented from giving employment to a number of workpeople?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that the boycotting at Youghal, which was commenced about three months ago, still continues, and that an old woman of 70 years of age is among those boycotted, and her means of living impaired. An important factory has also been seriously affected by the boycotting necessitating the discharge of about 40 workmen out of 100 who bad been employed.
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Is this one of the districts of which the Chief Secretary described last night as being in a state of revolution?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere is a great deal in the condition of Youghal to be complained of, but I do not think Youghal can be described as being in a state of revolution.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)May I ask if it is the fact that this form of intimidation has made many converts to Home Rule?
§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.)Is there any evidence for the suggestion that the boycotting has been prompted by religious motives?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThe only suggestion made in the question of the kind referred to by the hon. Gentleman is that the persons boycotted are Protestants and that the boycotters are Roman Catholics. I believe that is the fact.
§ MR. CLANCYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not know that two Protestant clergymen who have been appealing for aid have expressly relieved the Catholics of Youghal from the charge of religious intolerance?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI make no statement with regard to it. I simply state the facts, which I understand the hon. Gentleman does not deny.