HC Deb 23 March 1847 vol 91 cc337-8
LORD GEORGE BENTINCK

The morning organ of the Government, The Times newspaper, in its Irish intelligence this morning, states that the order made regarding rations in Ireland is as follows:— One ration may consist either of ½lb. of bread, or 1 lb. of biscuit, or 1 lb. of meal or flour, or any other grain, or one quart of soup, thickened with a portion of meal, according to any known receipts, and one quarter ration of bread, or biscuit, or meal, in addition. Persons above nine years of age to have one ration—under nine years, a half ration in the day. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Ireland, whether it be a fact that the rations of those employed on the relief works in Ireland have been diminished to half a pound of bread per diem?

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, he had not seen the document alluded to, and was, therefore, unable to answer the question. The important question as to what manner food could be distributed to the people so as to be mostly conducive to their health, and go furthest, had been duly considered by the Board of Health. They had gone fully into the subject, and, among other things, they recommended some variety in the food. The subject had also occupied the attention of the Irish Government. They had been in communication with the Board of Health on the matter, and they would, no doubt, adopt that course which they thought best.

LORD G. BENTINCK

remarked, that, as the subject was an important one, as it regarded the Government of Ireland—

MR. LABOUCHERE

thought the officers of the Board of Health better judges of the subject than he. He had not seen the document referred to. Things of that sort frequently got into the newspapers much sooner than they came to the Irish Office. When he saw the document he should have no objection to lay it before the House.