§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the proposal of the Belfast Guardians of the 29th ultimo, to erect a new detached dwelling house for the present workhouse master, at a cost of £600 or £700; if it be true that the master was only appointed about two years ago, and since this time upwards of £200 have been expended in general improvements to, and furniture for, his apartments, in addition to the furniture previously purchased for them; is it true that this expenditure was incurred in order to accommodate the master's wife and family, who are maintained out of the rates; are those apartments the same as those occupied by all previous masters; and, will ho undertake to have this proposal of the guardians set aside on the ground that the expenditure is unnecessary?
§ MR. TREVELYANInquiry on this subject has been made; but as the Question only appeared on the Paper yesterday, a full reply has not yet been received. I am able to state, however, that the apartments of the master of the 26 workhouse having been complained of as unhealthy, and having been, after examination by a special committee of the Guardians, condemned as unfit to live in, it has been proposed to erect a suitable dwelling at a cost not to exceed £400. The proposals of the Guardians will receive the careful consideration of the Local Government Board before a decision is come to.