§ MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what steps, if any, have been taken to start relief works in Ranafast. Ranomona, and Loughnanoran, in West Donegal; whether he is aware that there is much fever in these districts; and what means of subsistence there are for the 783 inhabitants from this time till June, and for the women and children from June till the return of the wage-earners from the Scotch harvest in August?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe condition of the districts mentioned is being carefully watched, but I am happy to say no necessity has arisen to start relief works. As the result of local inquiry, I cannot find that fever exists there. An outbreak of scarlatina had occurred in Dungloe dispensary district, but it was practically over on the 25th ult. It is not anticipated that any distress will arise to deprive the inhabitants of their present means of subsistence, or to derange the practice followed by the heads of families in previous years with regard to the maintenance of their families while they themselves are wage-earning in Scotland.