§ MR. McCARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutentant of Ireland—(1) whether his attention has been called to a representative meeting of farmers held at Cloghskelt, county Down, on 28th February last, under the presidency of the Rev. H. A. Irvine; (2) whether he is aware that a resolution was unanimously adopted declaring the present rents in county Down impossible of payment, and calling upon the Government to bring the farmers relief in their present straits; and (3) if any measure of relief is to be given them, whether he will endeavour to have it passed into law without unnecessary delay?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe facts are as stated in the first and second paragraphs. If the last paragraph refers to any temporary Measure to be introduced and passed pending the discussion of the Land Bill, I have only to repeat, what I have already stated several times, that no Measure is in contemplation.