§ MR. HARRIS (Galway, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware of a great number of applications for loans having been lately sent in by the fishermen of the Galway Coast to the inspectors of Irish fisheries, and that no decision thereon has been communicated to the applicants; and, if he will inquire as to the cause of the delay in granting such loans and take such steps as he may consider advisable to enable these and other poor fishermen to avail of the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund Act, which was passed for their benefit?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I am informed that although some delay has taken place in dealing with these applications they are now being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. Some time must always be occupied in making the necessary inquiries and examining the records of previous transactions with the same applicants. The loans are numerous and of small amount.