MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, when the Ulster Canal was handed over to the Lagan Company, an undertaking was given by the Government that the old employees would be compensated for the loss of employment; whether he is aware that a carpenter, named James McAree, who was for seventeen years employed by the Government on the Canal, was discharged by the Lagan Company without compensation; and whether he will see that this man is treated the same as the other employees?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir JOHN GORST,) (who replied) ChathamI am informed that the case of James McAree, who claimed a gratuity on the transfer of the navigation, was fully considered, but as it was found that he was not in regular employment, but was only casually employed, he could not be recommended.