HC Deb 07 June 1894 vol 25 cc549-50
MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the Listowel Union the outdoor relief has increased from £7 18s. 3d. in 1879ߝ80 to £2,992 in 1893ߝ4, whilst the expenditure on indoor relief has increased in the same period from £1,206 16s. 8d. to £2,214 9s.; whether he can give any explanation of this state of facts; and if he will grant a Return as to the financial conditions of the several Irish Unions?

MR. J. MORLEY

I understand that the statements in the first paragraph are correct. The Local Government Board are informed by the clerk of the Union that some portion of the increase is attributable to the enlargement of the Union in 1891 by the transfer to it of part of the former Glin Union, though I observe that the expenditure appears to have grown steadily for the past 15 years. Notwithstanding these facts, however, I learn from the Local Government Board that the Union is in a fairly sound financial condition. The Board are now preparing from the audited accounts a Return which will show the precise position of the various Poor Law Unions at the end of the last financial year. This Return will be published in the Board's Annual Report, which will shortly be presented to Parliament.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

But is it not the case that this enormous increase of outdoor relief has been contemporaneous with a tremendous increase in indoor relief?

MR. J. MORLEY

That does appear to he the case from the figures quoted by the hon. Member, which I have stated to be correct.

MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

Is not this Board, like all other Boards in Ireland, composed to the extent of one-half of persons representing the landed classes?

MR. J. MORLEY

No doubt it has its full share of ex officio members.