HC Deb 28 October 1908 vol 195 cc288-9
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement of Judge Anderson at the Gort Quarter Sessions on the 19th, that owing to the system of boycott no man can be got to retain the office of civil bill officer for the Woodford district, and the result is that rents and ordinary debts cannot be recovered; and what action he proposes to take to suppress boycotting and restore respect for the law in this district.

MR. BIRRELL

My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to. The police authorities inform me that they are not aware of any case in which a civil bill officer has been boycotted in the Woodford district. It would appear, therefore, that the County Court Judge—assuming that he is correctly reported—has been misinformed as to the reasons for the difficulties in filling the appointment. I may add that, when necessary, the police invariably afford full protection to process servers in the discharge of their duties.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman cause communication to be made to Judge Anderson asking him where he got his information?

MR. BIRRELL

I think the police are the better collectors of evidence of that kind.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG

Is it not the custom of the Judges at Assizes and Quarter Sessions to make statements as to the peace of the community on information supplied by the police?

MR. BIRRELL

I obtained my information from the police.