§ MR. McCARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) if he has received a petition from the tenant farmers of the barony of Lecale, county Down, representing all shades of political opinion, declaring that practical ruin threatens them unless immediate relief is provided; and also, that the need was much less pressing when relief was given in 1887 than, it is now; and (2) whether, considering the necessity for immediate relief from their present rents on the part of the farmers of almost every district in Ireland, he will consider without delay what steps he will take in aid of these overburdened citizens?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe document referred to in the first paragraph has been received. The Govern has no intention of following the precedent of 1887 and legislating in the direction suggested in the Question.