SIR GEORGE TREVELYAW (Glasgow, Bridgeton)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, how many tenants have been turned into caretakers by notice of ejectment; and whether the Government have the means of ascertaining how many of that number have been re-instated as tenants?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman does not specify any period for which he desires the information alluded to in the question. I may, however, point out that the Government present to Parliament Quarterly Returns of the eviction notices filed in Courts under Section 7 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1887, the last such Returns being for the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 1889, presented on February 12. As regards the number of actual evictions which follow the serving of such eviction notices, the fullest information at the disposal of the Government is likewise presented quarterly to Parliament, and is now before the House up to December 31 last, Returns for that and the previous September quarter having been also presented on February 12.
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI am sure it is likely that the Government are unable to give this information; but, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, there area good many Gentlemen of both ways of thinking in this House who are extremely anxious to have information as to how many tenants have been turned into caretakers?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI quite understand the object of the right hon. Gentleman; but I do not think it possible to give the information without entailing a large amount of labour.