§ MR. G. MORRISsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If any Report has been received by the Poor Law Commissioners of the existence of distress in Conemara; if so, has he any objection to lay such Report on the table, and state what steps have been taken in the matter?
LORD NAASsaid, in reply, that he had received Reports from Poor Law Inspectors stating that there was reason to apprehend the possibility of a considerable degree of distress arising within the district of Conemara. That state of things had been brought about principally by the extreme inclemency and lateness of the spring, and by the poor people having been obliged to give to their cattle that provender which, on most occasions, would be reserved for themselves. The attention of the Government had been most carefully directed to all the circumstances of the case, and they had set on foot inquiries as to the steps that ought to be taken, in case the unfortunate prognostications which had reached them should be verified. He had no Report which he thought that he ought to lay on the table; but he would take care that the House was fully informed of the circumstances as they might arise.