MR. KNON (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that the cess collectors in Cavan have, by direction of the Grand Jury, refused or omitted to give separate receipts for county cess under the Relief of Distress Act, 1880, half of which is recoverable from the landlord, or in any way to separate the amounts levied under that Act from the ordinary cess; whether £4,000 repayable by the landlords has ever been repaid by them owing to this practice; and whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of this abuse?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin UniversityMy right hon. Friend answered this question on Friday to the effect that it is a matter which does not come within the cognisance of the Government, but that the question had been referred to the Secretary to the Grand Jury for any observations the Grand Jury might desire to offer. No reply had then been received, and I am informed that up to the present no information has reached the Irish Office.
§ MR. KNOXIs it not customary, as a matter of courtesy, for the Secretary of a Grand Jury to reply?
§ MR. MADDENOh, yes. I have always received the fullest information from Secretaries to Grand Juries, and I have not the slightest doubt that information in this case will be transmitted. I merely notify to the hon. Member that it has not yet been received.