HC Deb 02 March 1893 vol 9 cc793-4
MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the alleged breaches of the Law by Irish Sheriffs in executing Civil Bill Decrees between sunset and sunrise; and, if so, whether he is now prepared, definitely, to inform the House for how many of the 712 alleged cases he has found proof; and if he will supply the particulars of such cases (if any), so that they may be inquired into and tested?

MR. J. MORLEY

As I explained some short time ago, there was an overstatement in the figures supplied to me with regard to the number of cases in the time of the late Government of seizures, or attempted seizures, under Civil Bill Decrees between sunset and sunrise with police protection. The Constabulary Authorities have since carefully investigated the matter, and have now furnished details of 66 actual cases. I cannot undertake the responsibility of furnishing a Return of these cases, which might obviously form the basis of proceedings outside this House. But I shall be happy to permit the hon. Member to inspect it.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Inasmuch as the right hon. Gentleman made the promise, and I went to the Irish Office on Monday without result, I wish to know whether I can see them at the House on any particular day? I am not going to the Irish Office again.

MR. J. MORLEY

I deeply regret that the hon. Gentleman has been put to any inconvenience. The Papers shall be brought to the House this evening.

MR. A. J.BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)

The original statement was that there were 712 cases; the present answer of the right hon. Gentleman speaks only of 66.

MR. J. MORLEY

So far.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Does the right hon. Gentleman describe that as an over-statement?

MR. J. MORLEY

The over-statement arose from the fact that the authorities who prepared the Return and furnished me with the figures took the hour named in the Sheriff's requisition as the hour of actual seizure.

MR. T.M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Are the authorities who supplied the information the same as those who always supplied the Leader of the Opposition with his information?

[No answer was given.]