§ *SIR GEORGE FARDELL (Paddington, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will ascertain and report to this House why three farmers named Corcoran, Doyle, and Kelly came before the New Inn branch of the United Irish League on Sunday, 26th May, and surrendered their farms at Baleighter; whether such action was due to illegal pressure exercised by the League; whether his attention has been called to threats that if the graziers do not surrender their farms in the district the people are determined to clear all the grass farms in the parish; and, if so, what action he proposes to take thereon.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe three men named in the Question have informed the local police that, upon receiving letters asking them to attend a meeting of the branch referred to, they attended the meeting and promised to surrender their grazing farms. They have declined to give evidence of the fact or to produce the letters which they alleged they received. The police are aware that a statement to the effect mentioned in the latter part of the Question has been made. The police will take all possible measures to prevent the threat from being carried into effect.
§ MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Estates Commissioners do not proceed to deal with these farms by way of sale until intimidation in the district has ceased?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo, Sir.