§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I desire to ask the Secretary for Ireland a question arising out of an answer he gave a short time ago. Will he state facts on which—though he had stated that he knew nothing about the matter — he based the opinion that it is likely that landlords are threatening to dismiss their labourers unless they consent to sign petitions against the Home Rule Bill. Does the right hon. Gentleman wish to withdraw that insinuation?
MR. T. M. HEALYI submit, Mr. Speaker, that this should not be allowed. The ordinary Rules applying to questions should not be broken.
§ MR. BARTLEYI only put this question because of the statement of a Minister in his place to the effect that he knows nothing about what the Irish landlords are doing, but that he believes they are likely to do a certain thing.
§ MR. SPEAKERHas the hon. Member given notice of this question?
§ MR. BARTLEYNo, Sir; the statement was only made just now.
MR. J. MORLEYI did not say what the hon. Member attributes to me. I was asked whether I was aware that landlords were going about with petitions against the Home Rule Bill, and pressing their labourers to sign them—
§ MR. BARTLEYAnd threatening to dismiss them.
§ MR. SEXTONI beg to give notice that I will take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the gross devices of fraud and intimidation which are being employed in Ireland with a view to induce or compel tenants, employés, and other persons in a dependent position to sign petitions against the Government of Ireland Bill. Meanwhile I wish to know 35 whether the right hon. Gentleman will receive and consider any evidence that may be tendered on the subject.
§ MR. BARTLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman receive evidence from the other side; will he receive it from both sides?