§ COLONEL COLTHURSTasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the terms of the Local Government Board Circular of the 1st June 1880, requiring, as a condition for the receipt of out-door relief by the able-bodied, that each person shall do eight hours labour; and, whether he will modify the above conditions and assimilate them to those in force in England, by leaving it to the discretion of the guardians to require the labour test?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I have seen the Circular referred to in the Question of the hon. Gentleman, and I must say that the Order now in force is similar to one issued during the famine of 1846. The hon. Member is not altogether correct in thinking that there is no discretion in the hands of Boards of Guardians, the words "so far as practicable," qualifying the condition. I fear the labour test is necessary.