§ MR. A. MOOREasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the attention of the Local Government Board for Ireland has been called to the unsatisfactory state of Belfast workhouse, as evinced by the grave charges against the management and discipline of that house so frequently made, sometimes in the local press, at other times addressed to the Local Government Board itself; and, whether in the interests of the poor on the one hand, and the ratepayers on the other, the Local Government Board are prepared to take such steps, either by the dissolution of the existing board and the substitution in its stead of a board of paid guardians, or by other means, to put a stop to the existing state of things?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe subject of the management of Belfast Workhouse has been brought before the Local Government Board, and I have been informed of several charges against the management. An inquiry is still continuing; and I have great hopes that the Board of Guardians, aided by the Local Government authorities will come to a satisfactory settlement of the matters in dispute. As regards substituting paid Guardians for the existing Board, I see no reason for such a step, for the present, at least. In fact, I should almost despair of local government in Ireland if such a step became necessary in so large a town as Belfast.
§ MR. A. MOOREI wish to give Notice, in consequence of representations made to me by a large number of ratepayers in the district, that I intend calling attention to the circumstances substantiating the grave charges I am quite aware to have been made.