§ MR. O'SHEAasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the smallness of the sums of money granted from any of the sources recently available for such purposes, towards the improvement of the fishing harbours and creeks in Clare; whether representations have been made to him as to the extraordinary way in which the fishermen of that county have availed themselves of every chance that has been afforded them, and as to the alacrity with which they have paid rents and other debts, out of their earnings under the first revival of their industry; and, whether under these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government are disposed to afford any further facilities for the improvement of some of the fishing harbours and creeks on that dangerous coast?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHUntil I read my hon. Friend's Question, my attention had not been called to the smallness of the sums assigned to County Clare. I may say, however, that the apportionment of the recent Canadian and Parliamentary grants of £60,000 was made on the recommendation of a Special Committee, which carefully examined the proposals brought before it, and the Treasury have no reason for thinking that the claims of County Clare were not duly weighed. I have no special knowledge of the condition of the fishermen on that coast. Considering the terms on which the special grant of £45,000 was made last year, I cannot at present make any promise with respect to further free grants. Any application for a loan on sufficient security, however, will be carefully considered.