§ DR. R. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that in 1891 the Westport Union borrowed, from the Board of Works, the sum of £8,925 12s. for the purpose of supplying seed to those in need of it; that such loan was repayable in two years; that a sum of £7,486 16s. 7d. has been repaid, leaving a balance of £1,438 18s. 5d. due mainly by the ratepayers of Achill and Clare Islands; and if, considering that the inhabitants of these islands are bordering on starvation, and utterly unable to discharge this obligation at present, he will endeavour to have the time for repayment of the balance extended to the 1st November, 1894?
§ MR. ASQUITH (for Mr. J. MORLEY)The Local Government Board inform me that a sum of £1,444 9s. 5d. is still due by the Guardians of the Westport Union under the Seed Potato Supply Acts of 1890 and 1891, and that this amount is mainly due by ratepayers in Achill and Clare Islands. The Board learn from their Inspector that it is not correct to say that the inhabitants of these islands are at present bordering on starvation, and that they are not aware of any special circumstances which would warrant them from departing from the usual course, and recommending the Lord Lieutenant to postpone the payment of the balance due to the date mentioned in the question.