§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the application for a grant by the Ennis Distress Committee has been granted; and, if not, whether he will ask the Local Government Board to take the necessary steps in the matter, in view of the urgency of the question of unemployment, particularly during the winter months.
§ MR. BIRRELLNo grant from the Parliamentary Vote in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act has yet been made to the Ennis Distress Committee, but their application for a grant is before the Treasury. I am doing my best to press the case forward.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. gentleman be good enough to bear in mind that there is a good deal of unemployment at Ennis, and that the merit of the grant would be taken away if not promptly sent, seeing it is near Christmas, and the middle of the winter, when money is most urgently required?
§ MR. BIRRELLThat is the view I am pressing forward.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDThank you, very much.