§ MR. O'SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that Mr. 1693 Posnett, the arbitrator appointed by the Local Government Board in Ireland to value plots of land taken under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, has received his fee and expenses from the Guardians of the Kilmallock Union over a month since, to arbitrate in that Union, and that he has not yet taken any steps in the matter; whether this same arbitrator held an inquiry in the Limerick Union over a month since, on which occasion he promised to furnish the Guardians with the report of his arbitration in ten days, but which report has not yet reached the Guardians; and, whether he will take any steps to insist on the arbitrators doing their part of the work at once, so that the labourers throughout the country may get the plots in time to sow a crop in the land this spring?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANAs Arbitrators under the Labourers Act are appointed by the Board of Works, this Question would have been more properly addressed to my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury. I understand, however, that the 1st of May has been fixed by the Arbitrator and the Clerk of the Union for holding the Kilmallock inquiry. The Arbitrator has not received, and cannot receive, any fees until his final award is sent in. As regards Limerick, I am informed that the Arbitrator's award has been furnished, and that in every case where the Guardians wished it he has granted certificates to take up the sites. The Act of Parliament requires notice to be given of inquiries; but Mr. Posnett states that in no instance has there been any unnecessary delay on his part.
MR. O'SULLIYANasked, was the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Kilmallock Guardians had paid £50 expenses some time ago, but that the inquiry had not yet been held?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI regret the delay; but I am informed on Mr. Posnett's part that he has not yet received the money.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any means can be employed to expedite the passage of the Labourers Bill? He knows as well as I do that it is greatly desired by the people. He could suggest action on this question by which the noble Marquess (the Marquess of Hartington) might stop Supply in order to 1694 allow the Bill to be passed for one or two nights.
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not think I could act on the suggestion for some weeks. Just now there is little or no chance of doing anything of that sort.