§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that during the last week in May a number of bailiff's, protected by a force of 15 police, were engaged in the Castle-island district of County Kerry making seizures for county cess, and that several rescues were made under the eyes of the police; whether the instructions issued for the guidance of the police on the occasion were to the effect that they were only to interfere to protect the bailiffs from assault; whether he is aware that the cattle in several cases were drawn off by large crowds armed with sticks, without assaulting the bailiffs; and, if the facts are as stated, what steps does he propose to take to secure a better administration of the law? In putting the question the hon. Member said he had received a telegram to the effect that the seizures were for poor rate and not county cess.
MR. J. MORLEYThe District Inspector of Police at Castleisland informs me that on the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th of May protection was afforded to two bailiff's in the execution of warrants for county cess. The strength of the police force varied from four to eight men. In no case was a rescue made or even attempted. No such instructions were issued to the police as those mentioned in the second paragraph of the question: and in no case were cattle drawn off by large crowds armed with sticks, as alleged.
§ *MR. T. W. RUSSELLMight I ask whether the fact that I intended to refer to poor rate and not county cess explains the answer; and may I also ask is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether those seizures took place for poor rate?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say that, but it is clear that this question, which was sent on to the authorities in Ireland, who were able to give me the particulars on which I founded my answer—it is clear they refer to the same case, whether the warrants were for county cess or poor rate.