§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 4th instant a young man named Michael M'Clean was compelled to leave off working on the Achill Railway works because on the previous night he had signed a Petition against the Home Rule Bill; and whether he will take steps to protect M'Clean and others in the exercise of their rights as citizens?
MR. J. MORLEYI understand that the statements in the first paragraph are true so far as they go, but they do not tell the whole story. The civil engineer in charge informed the men they would be discharged if they interfered with M'Clean who returned to his work on 229 the 6th inst., and has been working ever since.
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)In view of the general inquiry made in the second paragraph of the question, I beg to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will instruct the police to report to the Inspector General any cases which come under their notice of persons being discharged or subjected to injury or loss for refusing to sign Petitions?