Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state what action has been taken with regard to the disturbances on the Pollock estate; whether any arrests have been made and prosecutions instituted against any of the perpetrators; whether it is intended to hand any of the farms purchased to the people who took part in the cattle-driving; and what steps have been taken to prevent similar outrages in that neighbourhood in future?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo action has been taken in this case. No further outbreak has occurred. The distribution of the untenanted land is in the hands of the Estates Commissioners, and the impend- 1049 ing completion of the sale of the estate gives good ground for hoping that there will be no further trouble in connection with this property.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir; there is no such intention. I said that the farms have not yet been distributed. There is no present intention to give them to any particular persons.