§ MR. HAYDEN (Leitrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, the sum borrowed by the Mohill Board of Guardians under the Seed Act, 1880, was £8,803; whether out of this sum there is only at present in arrear £543, which the Guardians are unable to collect, consequent upon the great destitution prevailing amongst some of the recipients of this loan, and other casualties; whether the present Poor Rate and County Cess in the Union amount to 7s. 8d. in the £1 on the valuation; and, whether, under the circumstances, the Government will insist on the repayment of this sum, borrowed during a period of famine, when 94 per cent of the original debt has been repaid?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.) said(who replied): The facts are as stated in paragraphs one and two of the Question. As regards the third paragraph, I have not been able to ascertain whether the amount of Poor Rate and County Cess is accurately stated. The Commissioners of Public Works have been instructed to consult with the Local Government Board whenever circumstances appear to justify a postponement of the claim for repayment; but I am unable to advise the remission of outstanding balances of Seed Rate.