§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1104 with reference to a project to amalgamate the Newport with the Westport Poor Law Union, What effect has been produced upon the Local Government Board by a unanimous resolution of the Westport Board, adopted on the 19th ultimo, condemning the project of amalgamation, pointing out that it would almost double the average rate of the Westport Union; that there would be a distance of over forty miles between some of the districts in the new Union and the Workhouse, and that it would be impossible to collect the rates, and scarcely possible even to procure collectors; whether the Local Government have considered and framed any alternative schemes of amalgamation or alteration of Unions by which the needs of the poor may be more adequately met, and the pressure of the poor rate be more equally distributed than by the scheme projected; what steps have been taken to ascertain the opinions of the ratepayers and others affected; and, whether, having regard to the pressure of the general question of Union amalgamation in Ireland, the Local Government Board will suspend any scheme confined to individual Unions until the general question has been considered?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Local Government Board have the resolution of the Westport Guardians at present under consideration, and hope soon to address them on the subject. I am not aware of any alternative schemes being under consideration. Opportunity was given of expressing their views to all parties interested at the inquiry which was held, of which notice was given to all the Unions adjoining Newport. There is no general question of amalgamation of Unions in Ireland under consideration that would make it advisable to suspend action in any particular case.