§ Mr. Sinclairbegged to ask the noble Lord the Secretary for Ireland, if the Government had received any accounts of a famine in the western parts of Ireland?
§ Lord Morpethsaid, that it was very true that Government had received very distressing accounts of the state of the population on the south-west coast of Ireland; and he could assure the hon. Member that the subject occupied the earnest and anxious attention of his Majesty's Government. Such steps had already been taken as were supposed best calculated to alleviate the distress. He hoped that the hon. Member would not press him into giving further particulars, as it might raise hopes among the sufferers which he was afraid might be disappointed.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, that it was by no means desirable that the idea should go forth that it was the intention of Government to come forward, as it would prevent the gentry of the country from exerting themselves.
§ Mr. Fitzstephen Frenchsaid, that if any money were advanced by the Government, it ought ultimately to be levied upon the landlords, for if the Government advanced it without some provision of that kind, the landlords would contribute nothing.