§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the Reverend Mr. Norris, CO., of Ballycotton, lately made an application to the Dublin Fishery Board for a loan of £500 out of the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund to purchase a first-class fishing boat (passage built) for the Ballycotton fishermen, and that the application was refused, on the ground that the portion of the Fund allocated to the County Cork was exhausted; whether it is a fact that large sums which have been allocated out of the Fund to other districts are lying idle, amongst which is a sum of £17,000 for the County Kerry; if so, for how long has this sum been unexpended; and, whether he will consider whether a recommendation could be made that if the amount allocated to a county be not claimed within a specified time it may be given to applicants in another district on their satisfying the Board as to the justice of their claim?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: The application made by the Rev. Mr. Norris was refused on the ground stated. It is the case that large sums allocated to other districts are lying idle, including a sum of £12,000 for the County Kerry, the greater portion of which sum has remained unexpended since the passing of the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund Act in 1874. The 1136 allocation of the Fund being regulated by Statute, the Government have no power to interfere.