§ MR. M'GOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the sergeant in charge of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Blacklion, in the County Cavan, has, on various occasions since 1st May, 1902, asked parties to become bailiffs to the new owners of the Morley estate, especially two police pensioners who reside near Blacklion; and will he say whether it is within the duty of the police in Ireland to provide bailiffs for landlords, or interfere in disputes between tenants and their landlords; and will he direct an investigation into these charges, and to the manner in which this police sergeant has discharged his duties since he came to Blacklion.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRE LAND (MR. WYNDHAM,) DoverIn April the agent on this estate wrote to the County Inspector inquiring if he knew a police pensioner who would act as bailiff. A couple of pensioners were interviewed in the matter by the sergeant. There is nothing significant or unusual in this, as the police authorities keep a list of pensioners who desire civil employment, and applications are frequently made for the services of such men by employers of all classes. The police do not interfere in disputes between the landlord and tenant. The sergeant at Blacklion is reported to be an efficient officer.