§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland what is the daily cost of relief works in West Mayo and the Island of Achill; how much is spent daily in payment of men of the Royal Irish Constabulary and other officials in superintending such relief; and whether Catholic and Protestant clergyman, in each district where relief is necessary, are consulted upon the specific requirements and urgency of the poor people in want of help?
§ MR. MADDENThe average daily cost in wages to persons employed on labour at relief works in the district mentioned is £134 9s. 10d. In addition to this, the amount spent daily in payment of Constabulary timekeepers and Royal Engineer supervisors is £14 4s., and the county surveyor gets a sum of £2 2s. for any day he may be employed. Any recommendations from clergymen are fully and carefully considered. In many instances their suggestions have been adopted.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman how many non-officials have been employed in the superintendence of relief works and the disbursement of relief in the County of Cork during the past month; and what was the total amount paid to the men in the police, and other officials and non-officials during the same period?
§ MR. MADDENThere are no non-officials employed in the superintendence of the relief works or the disbursement of wages. Sixty-one officials, including the County Surveyor, are employed in this work. The cost of the various officials carrying on the work up to the 28th February was £253 18s. 6d.
§ DR. TANNERWhat was paid to the police, and what to other officials?
§ MR. MADDENThe question of the hon. Member related to the total amount. If he wishes to know how that amount was divided he must put another question.
§ DR. TANNERIf I move for a Return will the right hon. Gentleman grant it?
§ MR. MADDENI do not know that there would be any objection, except the objection to the multiplication of Tin-necessary Returns.
§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the condition of a vast proportion of the population of the Gweedore district of Dunfanaghy Union; whether any part of Ireland can show a worse condition than is to be found in the Meenacladdy, Bloodyforeland, and Brinlack portions of this district; what measures he proposes for the relief of this misery; whether his attention has been called to the consequences that must result next year owing to the fact that no seed potatoes have been provided for the Gweedore district, and whether he purposes making provision to prevent the famine that must ensue next year if seed be not promptly provided now; and whether it is by any fault of the Poor Law Guardians of the district that no seed has been provided; and, if so, whether he can compel this Board of Guardians to perform their duty in this crisis, or whether he will take steps to save the people from the consequences of their neglect?
§ MR. MADDENI must ask the hon. Member to postpone this question.