§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the fact that in the majority of cases the interest of evicted tenants in their farms has passed to the landlord without any allowance being made, he will consider the advisability of introducing a clause into the promised Land Bill which will protect the interests of the tenants?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThis question is substantially the same as one addressed to me by the hon. Gentleman on Friday last, and I must refer him to my reply to that question, in which I stated I could give no assurance that the Bill would contain the provision suggested.
§ MR. FFRENCHMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that many thousands of persons had been evicted under what was known as "the eviction-made-easy clause," whose property had been taken by the landlords without compensation; and whether, in the interests of good government, he would do anything to prevent the Irish tenant-farmers from being despoiled? [Cheers.]
§ [No answer was returned.]