HC Deb 29 March 1920 vol 127 cc899-900W
Mr. JELLETT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a violent agrarian agitation, accompanied by outrage, murder, and intimidation, is Being organised in the counties of Galway and Mayo to compel landowners, who have adready sold their estates to their tenants under the Land Purchase Acts, to sell their demesnes and home farms, which they had retained, to emissaries of the Irish republic and to prevent sales being made to any other purchasers; and what steps do the Government intend to take to protect such owners in the exercise of their lawful rights and to prevent the agitation spreading?

Mr. MACPHERSON

A movement is in progress in County Galway, and the adjoining parts of County Mayo directed principally against the holders of grazing farms, and in some instances against holders of home farms, but no action appears to have been directed against the holders of demesne lands. Every effort is being made to prevent outrage and disturbance in these districts, and no statement can be publicly made as to the measures to be taken for the purpose.