§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the state of affairs in the neighbourhood of Arva, in county Leitrim, arising out of the boycotting of a farmer named John M'Neill; whether he is aware that M'Neill was called upon by the local branch of the United Irish League to surrender the farm, which he has held for nearly thirty years and much improved; whether he has been boycotted on account of his refusal to give up the farm; whether the boycott has been extended to all who associate with him or supply him with goods; and whether he will state what steps have been taken to punish those responsible for these proceedings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA Bill is being sent up against a number of persons for a disturbance in connection with the attempt to boycott this man. The matter is therefore sub judice, and it would not be desirable to enter into any further particulars.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance that steps will be taken to prevent magistrates travelling outside their jurisdiction which will defeat the ends of justice?
§ Mr. BIRRELLEvery step will be taken to secure justice.
§ Mr. MOOREIs it a fact that this man is severely boycotted irrespective of the particular disturbance?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere is no doubt that the man is boycotted.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know.
§ Mr. LONSDALEIs it a fact that all the persons boycotted are loyalists?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot ascertain the opinions of these unfortunate persons. I admit that this man is boycotted.
§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not know that the farm is in the county of Cavan and not in the county of Leitrim at all?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know.
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice must be given of that question.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the "Longford Leader" newspaper of 6th November last published a notice in which certain persons were denounced by name, and the boycotting of these persons was explicitly advocated; and whether any proceedings have been instituted against the proprietor of this newspaper and others which publish similar notices?
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question may I ask whether he is aware that when the firm of J. and J. Lonsdale had their headquarters in Longford they sent all their officials to join the local branch of the United Irish League?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know about that. I presume the object is answered by asking the question. My attention was not previously directed to the particular publication referred to by the hon. Member. I am aware, however, that similar notices and reports have been recently published in the "Longford Leader" and other newspapers, and the question of taking proceedings with a view to stopping such publications is at the present moment engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. MOOREHas not the editor of this paper already been sent to prison for declining to be of good behaviour in respect of identical matters last year?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of a question of that kind.