§ MR. ARKWRIGHTI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many grazing farms were occupied in the counties of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, and Westmeath, on 1st November, 1906; how many have been subsequently surrendered in consequence, or in fear of intimidation; and how many police are now employed in affording protection to the occupiers of grazing farms in the above-mentioned areas.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have no information which would enable me to reply to the first two parts of the Question. The only method that I am aware of by which the number of occupied grazing farms could be ascertained would be to direct the police to take a census of such farms, and I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by doing so. Assuming that any such farms have been surrendered, it is obvious that though the police might surmise the reasons for such surrender they could have no definite knowledge on the subject. Inquiries are being made as to the last part of the Question, and I shall be prepared to reply if the hon. Member should see fit to renew the inquiry after a few days.