§ MR. BURTasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, with reference to the alleged slave driving and cruelty practised on the labourers of Galway, his attention has been called to a letter in the "Newcastle Chronicle" of the 12th instant, written by Mr. Patterson, one of the miners' agents who recently visited that part of Ireland; whether he has seen that Mr. Patterson reiterates his previous statements, and says he is prepared to prove them; and, whether he will order a thorough investigation to be made into this subject to ascertain what are the facts?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER ,in reply, said, the Question of his hon. Friend related to a Question which was asked him a few days ago. He replied to that Question without inquiry, to the effect that he did not believe there could be any truth in the statement. The inquiry he had made proved that he was correct in that view. The statement in the paper referred to considerably exaggerated the miserable condition of the labourers. There was no so-called slave-driving.