§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has received a report from the Local Government Board Inspector, Mr. Hamilton, of the condition in which he found the Belfast Workhouse master's books, which, on the 10th April 1883, at a meeting of the Belfast Board of Guardians he declared had been cooked and falsified; if it be true that since this date the books and stores are still in charge of the same persons; and, if so, whether these officials will be continued in office?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Local Government Board inform me that they have received a Report from their Inspector on this subject, and the explanation of the master of the workhouse. The result is to show that, although there has been some irregularity in the manner in which the master's books had been kept, there is no reason whatever to attribute fraud to that officer, and there does not seem to be any reason why he should not be retained in office. The Local Government Board will address the Guardians on the subject of the irregularity referred to, with a view to their taking care that they shall not be repeated.