§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce during the present Session a measure to substitute, wholly or partially, Union Eating for the present divisional system of Poor-Law Eating in Ireland?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHWhen the hon. Member for Limerick brought this question before the House last Session, I undertook to consider it during the Recess, and to endeavour to propose this year, some solution which, without leading to extravagant expenditure, might afford relief to heavily-rated 215 electoral divisions. I have since made a very careful inquiry into the subject, and the result is that I think what is necessary may be effected in a better way than by Union rating, which, therefore, I do not intend to propose for adoption by the House. It was impossible to consider the area for Poor-Law taxation, without at the same time looking forward to the wider and more difficult subject of Grand Jury reform and the management and collection of county and baronial cess. I have now in preparation a measure dealing with the whole subject, in which will be included the adoption of a new area for purposes of local government and taxation, small enough to guard against the danger of extravagance, and sufficiently large to afford relief in Poor-Law taxation to the electoral divisions that require it.