§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it is true that a number of relief works instituted by the Government in West and South Cork will be left unfinished, and that it is proposed to tax the cesspayers of the County of Cork, as suggested by the County Surveyor to the West Riding of the County of Cork, to supply the alleged deficiency; and, if so, which of the works in course of construction will be left unfinished?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am happy to be in a position to say that it is not the case that a number of relief works in Cork will be left unfinished as suggested in the question. At the present time 21 such works are in progess, and it is not anticipated that more than one or two will be incompleted when relief operations cease, and they will be completed if, in the opinion of the Govern- 313 ment, there appears to be necessity for the completion.
§ DR. TANNERI am very pleased to hear the right hon. Gentleman's reply; but may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has any knowledge of a letter being addressed by the County Surveyor to the Grand Jury of the West Riding, in which it is suggested that no fewer than 13 relief works will be left unfinished?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI know nothing of such a letter; but it is evident that if the County Surveyor has made such representations he has written under a misapprehension.