HC Deb 05 June 1902 vol 108 cc1550-2
MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that 700 copies of a ballad in reference to a dispute as to terms of purchase between the Ellis tenants near Abbeyfeale, in the county of Limerick, and their landlord, were seized by the police, on Friday, 16th May last, from Mr. Cornelius O'Rourke's shop in Abbeyfeale; if he can state by whose authority such a seizure was made; and whether the police had a warrant for this action.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM, Dover)

The police acting as conservators of the peace, seized these leaflets because they contained what in their judgment amounted to an incitement to enter into a conspiracy not to pay rent. The printer seems to have anticipated that such a view might he taken of the leaflet for he did not put his name to it.

MR. DELANEY

What have the police done with this document, and will the owner be compensated for his loss?

MR. WYNDHAM

If he considers that he has been illegally injured, he has his remedy.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has seen this ballad and if, as a matter of fact, it is not a ballad composed in honour of the hon. Member for South Tyrone?

MR. WYNDHAM

I have seen it, but I cannot say I have read it with great attention. It is very poor stuff.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that the Executive are bound in duty to suppress this street-singer? It is not a seditious ballad, but has some phrases in glorification of my hon. friend opposite.

MR. LUNDON

I beg to tell the right hon. Gentleman that I have a copy of the ballad. Will it be in order to road it, Mr. Speaker?

MR. SPEAKER

It will not.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

What verse of the ballad is objectionable?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of acres of land purchased by the tenants in the parish of Abbeyfeale, in the county of Limerick, from their landlords, and the average number of years purchase paid by them for the same; also how many acres in the same parish are held under tenancy.

MR. WYNDHAM

I am endeavouring to procure the information in respect of land purchase, and will communicate it to the hon. Member when received. The information asked for in the second part of the Question cannot, I am informed, be officially obtained.