§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the following statement, printed in the London papers of 12th of March, has been brought under his notice:—
Dr. Roughan, Local Government Board Inspector, held an inquiry at Loughrea this morning in regard to the distress existing in that town. Several priests, a medical man, and some newspaper reporters were examined, and the evidence adduced showed that the inhabitants of the district were in a starving condition. Dr. Roughan said that the state of things was deplorable, and he ordered the relieving officer to give prompt relief;whether the Inspector has made a report to the Local Government Board on the subject; and, if so, whether he will lay it upon the Table of the House; and, what steps the Government propose to take to save the people from starvation?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have not seen the newspaper paragraph referred to; but I can assure the hon. Member that its statements, as quoted in this Question, are incorrect. Dr. Roughan's inquiry was confined to matters connected with the management of the workhouse. He has been asked as to this newspaper paragraph, and says, in reply, that the whole statement is untrue.