HC Deb 14 March 1893 vol 10 c15
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a county Cork magistrate, Mr. Francis Stawell, Kilbrack House, Doneraile, has lately gone round in that neighbourhood pressing labourers to sign a Petition against Home Rule, and threatening them with dismissal from employment in case of refusal, and that, being refused signatures in the district, he went to the graveyard, and took down the names from the headstones; and whether the Lord Chancellor will communicate with this gentleman with a view to discontinuance of these proceedings?

MR. J. MORLEY

I think the hon. Member has not been accurately informed. No complaint has been made by any labourer to the police in this matter, and nothing is known as to the graveyard incident referred to.

MR. FLYNN

If I submit letters bearing out the allegations in the question, will the Lord Chancellor inquire into the conduct of this magistrate?

MR. J. MORLEY

I will, if necessary, bring any facts that the hon. Member submits to me under the notice of the Lord Chancellor.

MR. T. HEALY (Louth, N.)

May I ask whether the police have informed the right hon. Gentleman that the landlords are going round to labourers and farmers in arrears and compelling them to sign Petitions against the Home Rule Bill?

MR. J. MORLEY

I daresay that is so, but I have no knowledge of the fact.

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

May I ask how the right hon. Gentleman ventures to make such a statement if he has no knowledge of the fact?

MR. J. MORLEY

Because I thought it lay within the reasonable probabilities of the case.