HC Deb 05 December 1906 vol 166 cc954-5
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at a recent meeting of the Ballina Board of Guardians, a resolution was passed of a boycotting nature directed against a man named Haire, who is stated to have taken an evicted farm at Grannagh, and that this resolution was also adopted by the Swinford Board of Guardians, and proposed to be adopted by the chairman of the Killalla Guardians; whether he will state if any of the guardians who took part in these proceedings hold the commission of the peace; and whether any disturbances, cases of boycotting, or intimidation in connection with the Grannagh farm have been reported by the police during the past two years.

MR. BRYCE

I am informed that on 5th November the Ballina Board of Guardians passed a resolution protesting against the action of John Haire in taking portion of a farm as to which negotiations for sale to the Estates Commissioners were said to be in progress. The farm is not an evicted farm. None of the guardians who were present holds the commission of the peace. I am informed that the resolution was not adopted by the Swinford Guardians, nor by the Killala Guardians, though the chairman of the latter board proposed it. I understand from the police authorities that though some local exhibitions of ill-feeling on the subject have taken place, nothing has occurred which has called for the institution of legal proceedings. Haire is receiving all necessary protection at the hands of the police.

MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member who put the Question was himself convicted last week of intimidation?

MR. LONSDALE

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for South Down has just made a statement that is absolutely untrue, and reflects upon my personal character, and I ask you to protect me.

* MR. SPEAKER

I thought the statement quite beneath the notice of the hon. Member.

MR. MACVEAGH

May I say that the firm of which the hon. Member is hon. chairman was last week convicted of intimidating—

* MR. SPEAKER

I read the account of the trial, and I made the statement I did after reading it.