§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that the Local Government Board have offered to the Guardians of the Westport Union £7 for each person emigrated from that Union; and, if so, whether he will 448 direct the Local Government Board to use any funds at their disposal for such purposes to provide food for the starving people of the Western Islands?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)It was represented to the Local Government Board that certain families on the West Coast had expressed a desire to emigrate if they had the means of doing so. The Board thereupon communicated with some of the Western Boards of Guardians, informing them that there was an unexpended balance of the sums granted for emigration purposes under the Arrears and Tramways Acts, and that those sums, upon certain conditions, might be applied towards carrying out the wishes of the people referred to. From the replies which have been received, however, the Guardians do not appear to be disposed to take advantage of the offer. Legislation would be necessary to enable this fund to be applied to other relief purposes.