§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Swinford Union being now under the management of Vice Guardians, What provision is being made by the Government to pay off the cheques issued by the late Guardians to contractors who supplied goods at the time of the relief works in 1886, in view of the loss and injury which will be caused to traders in that district if payment be much longer delayed?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Vice Guardians of Swinford Union are not in a position to meet all the cheques issued by the late Board of Guardians in respect of debts incurred under the Poor Relief Act, 1886. The Government have not any measure in view for the purpose of providing funds to discharge these debts.
§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENasked, were the holders of those cheques to lose their money for the goods they had supplied?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, that if the late Board could not discharge their debts he presumed their creditors would suffer.