§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of the Marquess of Clanricarde in instituting eviction proceedings against Mr. Martin Ward, merchant, of Loughrea, for the recovery of his business house and premises, because he acts as secretary of the Loughrea branch of the United League; and whether, in the interest of the peace and good order of the district, he will introduce legislation this year with a view of putting a stop to proceedings of this kind.
MR. BRYCEIt is, I understand, the fact that eviction proceedings against Mr. Ward are pending at the suit of the Marquess of Clanricarde. Men's motives are matter for conjecture, and I cannot undertake to state what they were in this case; nor can I make any statement as to possible legislation on the subject of town tenancies.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)On the question of motive, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Clanricarde's agent wrote a letter, which has been published, in which he gives as a reason for the eviction of this gentleman the fact that he is secretary to the local branch of the United Irish League.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDI will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the letter.