§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the notices or letters, sent by the honorary secretary of the Athenry Town Tenants League to each of the grazing tenants on the Caheroyan estate in April last, contained the specific announcement that fifty men had been enrolled to clear the lands in the event of the tenant refusing to surrender his rights in his farm; whether, in view of the fact that the whole of the grazing 689 tenants on this estate were forced to surrender their holdings owing to the threat contained in the said letter and to the active intimidation and boycotting which followed, he will take steps to prevent these farms being parcelled out amongst any persons who either participated in the intimidation referred to or is a member of the Athenry Town Tenants Association; and whether he intends to issue instructions for the prosecution of the honorary secretary and members of the Athenry Town Tenants Association for issuing the intimidating letter referred to.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that notices to the effect mentioned in the first part of the Question were delivered which purported to have come from the person named. As regards the second part of the Question; I would refer to my Answer to the Question put by the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division on 14th May † The local police have endeavoured to procure evidence of the printing and publication of the notices referred to, but so far without success.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGHas the right hon. Gentleman consulted the law officers as to whether there is a good case for prosecuting the persons indicated in the Question?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I have not.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGIf evidence as to handwriting is forthcoming, will proceedings be instituted against the secretary?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf such evidence is forthcoming it will be laid before the law officers.