§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 951 the Home Department whether he is aware that the Rev. W. J. Hermann Newman, of Eastdean Vicarage, Chichester, has by letter discontinued all business dealings with Mr. Pennicott, a baker, and also a churchwarden in Chichester, because Mr. Pennicott nominated and otherwise supported Mr. Allen, the unsuccessful candidate in the recent Parliamentary election; whether he is aware that action of this sort is, in Ireland, described as boycotting and intimidation, and is dealt with by special law; and will he say whether he intends to take any, and, if any, what, action in the matter.
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASI have seen a report of this matter in a newspaper cutting which the hon. Member has kindly sent me. If the account there given is accurate, an individual clergyman, without assigning any reason, withdrew his custom from an individual tradesman. It is clear that in such circumstances I have no power to take any action.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in Ireland cases of this kind would lead to prosecution? Why the difference between the two countries?
§ [No Answer was returned.]