HC Deb 17 August 1894 vol 28 cc1390-1
MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what course the Government intend to adopt in view of the rejection by the House of Lords of the Evicted Tenants Bill, the passing of which the Government have declared to be urgently required in the interest of social order in Ireland?

MR. J. MORLEY

This Bill was introduced to meet certain social and administrative difficulties admitted in all quarters of the House in Ireland. The deplorable action of the House of Lords in rejecting that measure is not unlikely to aggravate those difficulties. In the presence of these difficulties it will undoubtedly be the duty, and it is the intention, of the Government again to deal with the subject next Session.

MR. BARTON (Armagh, Mid)

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to certain speeches delivered in the course of the last few days by prominent Members of the House, in Ireland, forcibly directing the attention of the people against the new tenants now occupying evicted farms; and will he strengthen the police protection now afforded to these men?

MR. J. MORLEY

No, Sir; I have been otherwise engaged with Irish affairs, and my attention has not been drawn to speeches made by Members of the House outside the House. Of course, the hon. and learned Member is well aware that we shall take every step to protect all the subjects of Her Majesty.

MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

Have the Government formed any intention of taking steps to prevent like action by the Lords with regard to the next Evicted Tenants Bill or any other Bill?

MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, Mid)

Will the Evicted Tenants Bill which the right hon. Gentleman has foreshadowed take precedence of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill next Session?

MR. J. MORLEY

It is much too early to consider what will be done next Session. We will first dispose of this Session.

MR. COBB

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derby

The hon. Member will perceive that it would be entirely premature to give an answer to his question.