§ MR. M'GOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a man named M'Elligott, of Spruagh Bawnboy, County Cavan, has been confined in Dundalk gaol during the past eight months for contempt of court, and that the contempt for which he was committed was a refusal to give up possession of his farm to his landlord for £60 less than what he could get for it from another solvent purchaser; and, will the Government take any steps to amend the law relating to imprisonment for contempt of court, so as to put an end to permanent or indefinite imprisonment for this offence.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThis man was committed to prison in July last for contempt on a writ of attachment issued by the Master of the Rolls, the contempt consisting of his re-taking forcible possession of his former holding, and of his refusal to comply with an order of the 558 Superior Court. To purge his contempt he must apply to the Master of the Rolls. The reply to the second paragraph is in the negative.