§ MR. MCGOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that a man named M'Elligott from near Bawnboy, County Cavan, has been confined in Dundalk Gaol during the past nineteen months for refusing to give possession of his farm to the Irish Land Commission at £60 less than he could get from a solvent purchaser; and will the Government introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to contempt of court, in order to prevent people being confined for indefinite periods for offences of this description.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe nature of the contempt in respect of which this man was committed to prison by the Master of the Rolls, was stated in my answer to the hon. Member's similar Question of the 505 20th March last. The Executive has no power to interfere in such cases. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the negative.
§ MR. McGOVERNDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to keep this man permanently in prison?