§ MR. KENNYasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, If "Mr. Tuke's Committee" obtained money from the Treasury for the purpose of emigrating families from portions of Ireland; if, instead of emigrating families, the Committee in question emigrated from one 596 parish alone, viz. Ballinakill, county Galway, in the year 1883–4, thirty-eight unmarried persons not attached to any family, in addition to many others who were not bonâ fide members of the families sent off; if one Alexander M'Donnell, aged 24, sent to America three years ago by Mr. Tuke, returned twelve months since, was sent again to America on 26th April 1884; if others were sent who were well able to live at home; what check had the Treasury that the money given to Mr. Tuke and his Committee should not be misapplied; if he is aware that about twenty of the persons sent to America from this parish alone by Mr. Tuke have returned to Ireland; and, if the Government will insist that the money given to Mr. Tuke be returned to the Treasury?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)Mr. Tuke's Committee did obtain from the Treasury grants for emigrating families. In addition to, and instead of emigrating families, the Committee, as authorized by the Rules, assisted a limited number of single persons to emigrate. The proportion in Ballinakill was one single person to one family. In all cases single persons went with their friends. Mr. Tuke did not send Alexander M'Donnell to America three years ago. I am unable, from want of access to this year's papers, to state whether this man was sent to America on the 26th of April, 1884. No grants were obtained for any who were able to live at home. All grants were made up on the production of lists of names, and of particulars relating to the emigrants prescribed by the Rules laid down by the Local Government Board. The lists were supervised and sent to the Treasury by the Local Government Board. Mr. Tuke is not aware that 20 persons have returned as stated. If so, it might be at their own cost, as none have been returned by the American authorities. In the opinion of the Government, Mr. Tuke has been actuated by motives of the greatest benevolence.
§ MR. KENNYasked what guarantee had the Treasury that Mr. Tuke would not misappropriate the funds he obtained from the Treasury for family emigration by applying it to the emigration of individuals?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)said, the 597 Rules which affected the emigration of single individuals were followed.
§ MR. KENNYasked, was not the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in almost every instance in which Mr. Tuke emigrated families he also emigrated individuals?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)said, he had no information at all upon the matter.