HC Deb 20 February 1896 vol 37 cc694-5
MR. M. McCARTAN (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware of the general complaint of the farmers in Ulster as to their inability to pay rent out of last year's crops; and, whether, considering the very low prices obtainable by farmers for their produce, and the almost total failure of the flax crop, he will take some steps to bring them immediate relief.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I cannot add anything to the repeated declarations which I have already made on this subject and must decline to follow the precedent of 1887 by legislating in the matter. It is true that in some parts of Ulster the farmers have suffered by reason of the bad flax crop of the last year, but I am assured that this circumstance has not been overlooked by landlords and that rent reductions have been freely given.

MR. J. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

said, that perhaps the Chief Secretary would be kind enough to state when he hoped to introduce the Land Bill, as great uncertainty prevailed on the point.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said that that question ought to be addressed to the First Lord of the Treasury.

MR. J. DALY

said a great many of his hon. Friends scarcely understood the reply given by the First Lord of the Treasury last night. Would the right hon. Gentleman now say when the Irish Land Bill would be introduced?

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

inquired whether the Chief Secretary had seen the various reports of meetings of farmers in the north of Ireland at which complaints were made of the distress which exists, and were not many of these farmers his own supporters?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said he had seen many reports of the kind referred to.

MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork City)

asked if the right hon. Gentleman had any official information which led him to believe that reductions of rents were being made?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

remarked that he had received his information from the usual channels.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

asked if the answer of the Chief Secretary in reference to reduction of rents referred to the south of Ireland as well as to the north?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, it referred to the flax crops.