§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of 794 Ireland whether any, and if any what, relief works have been commenced in County Cavan; and whether the contemplated reads in the barony of Tully-haw, for which presentments were refused by the Grand Jury (although the County Surveyor declared them to be works of great public utility) on account of a letter received from the Under Secretary, will be made as relief works?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo necessity has so far arisen for the opening of relief works in the County Cavan. The case stands in this way: In every district in Ireland where it has been thought likely that relief works would be required the Grand Jury have been asked if they would permit the services of the County Surveyor to be utilised. A letter has been written to every county to that effect, perhaps not so well expressed as it might have been.
§ MR. KNOXThe right hon. Gentleman admits that the letter was not well expressed. It certainly conveyed a fake impression to the County of Cavan; and I trust the right hon. Gentleman will consider the desirability of directing such relief works to be made as are urgently needed. MR. A. J. BALFOUR: I do not think that any misapprehension can have been created in the minds of the Grand Jury of Cavan. It is rather a matter for the Guardians than for the Grand Jury.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any relief works wore recommended by the Local Government beard (Ireland) Inspectors in the Ballyvourney and Kilnamartyra districts, in the County of Cork; and, if so, why such works are not being proceeded with?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe districts mentioned are receiving the careful attention of the Government. But I, am glad to say there is no present necessity to open relief works in them.
§ DR. TANNERIs it not the fact that seeing the absolute destitution which is almost impending it was promised some time ago by the Local Government Inspectors that two roads should be opened?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am unable to answer that question.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the proposed Donoughmore and Blarney Light Railway has been commenced, and how many labourers of the district have been employed on the works?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that the proposed line of light railway has been all surveyed, but that the works have not yet been commenced.
§ DR. TANNERI understood the right hon. Gentleman to say two months ago that the works had been commenced, but the information given to the right hon. Gentleman appears to have been misleading and false. Is there any chance of the works being commenced soon?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman should apply to the promoters of the line for that information.
COLONEL NOLANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what relief works are in progress in the Tuam and Glenamaddy unions?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo relief works are in progress in either of the unions mentioned. I do not think the necessity has yet arisen.
COLONEL NOLANDid not the right hon. Gentleman state a month or five weeks ago that works were in contemplation and almost in progress in one of the districts? How does he reconcile that statement with his present answer?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn consequence of representations made, partly by the hon. Member and partly in other quarters, works were started in one of the unions at the ordinary rate of payment.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt was at the ordinary rate, but the people refused to work for it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI believe it was about 5s. a week.