§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland has he received a copy of a resolution of the Cork Board of Guardians calling attention to the lamentable condition of the unemployed operatives and labourers at Passage West, and pressing that further works should be instituted as the only moans of averting widespead destitution and starvation during the winter; has the Irish Local Government Board taken 1691 steps similar to those taken by the Local Government Board in England to provide work for the unemployed in such emergencies; and, having regard to the capabilities of the Passage West Shipbuilding Yard for producing work of the highest class, will he advise the Congested Districts Board to obtain tenders from the Passage Company for the construction of any fishing boats about to be ordered under their auspices in connection with the deep-sea fisheries on the Western Coast?
MR. J. MORLEYA copy of the resolution referred to, which was adopted by the Guardians on the 16th instant, has been forwarded to me, and the matter is now engaging the attention of the Local Government Board. The Congested Districts Board do not at present contemplate getting boats built directly out of their own funds. Loans are, however, made to fishermen in congested districts to enable them to purchase boats, and these boats are, as a rule, constructed by builders living in or near the congested districts. My hon. Friend will agree with me that it would be unwise to take any steps which might be calculated to injure an industry within these districts.
§ MR. SEXTONHave the Irish Local Government Board concerned themselves at all about the condition of the unemployed. Is that not a question outside their duties? Have they power to issue such a Circular as has been sent out by the English Local Government Board?