§ MR. BUTTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he will state the nature and amount of the fund which he expects to make available for the purpose of aid to the Irish Fisheries?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, the fund to which he referred the other day was the balance of a fund raised for the relief of distress in Ireland in 1822, which amounted to about £30,000. The use of a certain portion of the fund was restricted by Act of Parliament to certain counties. Some of them were maritime counties, and it was considered by the Inspectors of Fisheries that without legislation, part of the fund might be applied for the purpose referred to in those counties. There were, however, a number of other maritime counties for which, under present circumstances, the fund was not available; but the Commissioners were of opinion that a measure might be introduced to enable the Treasury to use the balance of the fund for that purpose. In all the Commissioners thought that about £20,000 might be made available.