§ MR. ROSS (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what Poor Law Unions in Ireland are in an insolvent condition; and in how many of these cases have the Boards of Guardians been dissolved, and paid officials appointed to act in their stead?
MR. J. MORLEYIf by the expression "Poor Law Unions in an insolvent condition" the hon. Member means Unions in which the liabilities of the Guardians are at present in excess of their liabilities, I have to say I am informed by the Local Government Board that it would not be possible for them to state what Unions are in that position at this moment, as very few of the accounts for the six months ending in March last have been audited. Only one Union is at present under the management of Vice Guardians.
§ MR. ROSSHas the right hon. Gentleman any objection to giving the names of the Unions whose cheques their bankers have refused to honour? That is what I want to know.
MR. J. MORLEYPersonally, I have no objection. I will inquire of the 327 Local Government Board if the information can be obtained.
§ MR. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)Is it calculated to restore the solvency of a Union to dismiss the representatives of the ratepayers, who gave their services gratuitously, in order to employ officials who have no knowledge of the district, and have to be paid out of the rates?
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)Was the appointment of Vice Guardians in the Tralee Union due to the insolvency of that Union?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot answer that, but I understand that Union is now in a fairly satisfactory condition.
§ MR. ROSSIs it not a fact that in every case in which Vice Guardians have been appointed instead of elected Guardians to manage insolvent Unions, that insolvency has ceased to exist?
MR. J. MORLEYwas understood to reply that usually the Vice Guardians did place the Union finances on a sounder footing.