§ MR. LEAMYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is one of the Trustees to aid the Sea and Coast Fisheries of Ireland; whether over thirty thousand pounds of charity money collected from the public is lying unproductive in the hands of the Trustees; if he is aware that some years ago the Trustees recommended that the fund should be transferred to the Inspectors of Fisheries, to be lent by them to the sea coast fishermen; and, if ho will take steps to have that recommendation carried into effect?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, as Chief Secretary for Ireland, I am an ex-officio trustee of the charity known as the Trustees to Aid the Sea and Coast Fisheries of Ireland. There is undoubtedly a considerable sum of money —falling much short of £30,000, however you regard it—which is lying unemployed as far as loans to fishermen are concerned. In 1879 the trustees proposed to transfer the trust fund to the Government; but it was found there were difficulties in the way. I hope to have an opportunity of going into this question in Ireland when the Session is over, and consulting with my brother trustees in Dublin as to the best means of making use of any of the trust money that may be available for loans to fishermen.