§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Galway Board of Guardians, affirming 791 the necessity for relief works in the Arran Islands, owing to the extreme destitution now prevailing there; and whether he has yet provided for the institution of such works?
MR. J. MORLEYI have received a copy of the resolution referred to. Since I replied recently to a previous question of my hon. Friend in regard to the state of things in the Arran Islands, the Local Government Inspector has again visited them, and, with the assistance of the parish priest and his curate, distributed the seed potatoes provided through the hon. Member for Northampton. The Local Government Inspector has found nothing to alter in his former Reports, nor anything that would justify the Government in asking Parliament to adopt the very exceptional course of specially providing relief works.
§ MR. SEXTONAm I to understand that the Government think there are now the means of subsistence for the people in these islands until the harvest ripens?
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)asked if the answer of the Chief Secretary meant that the Government could not see their way to spend a few hundreds in instituting relief works in the Arran Islands at a period when the people of Ireland were taxed £250,000 for the Navy?
MR. J. MORLEYI am afraid my logic does not enable me to see the connection between this extra taxation and the granting of a few hundred pounds to the Arran Islands. The case of the Arran Islands must be judged on its merits.
§ MR. W. REDMONDasked whether the Chief Secretary had received any information on the subject of the condition of the people of these islands from the Rev. Father McDonnell, the priest of the district, who had complained very much of the indifference of the right hon. Gentleman?
MR. J. MORLEYIt is quite true I have received various communications from this rev. gentleman complaining of what he considers my indifference. I have not been indifferent. I have paid the very closest attention, and I have formed the best judgment I could on the 792 facts laid before me by officers and officials of experience, in whom I have entire confidence.
§ MR. W. REDMONDAre we to infer that he places in this matter greater reliance upon the information afforded to him by the Local Government Board Inspector, who is only a stranger, than he does upon the information provided for him by the Rev. Father McDonnell, who has lived amongst his people all his life, and knows all about them?
MR. J. MORLEYI am not sure how far it is true that this rev. gentleman has lived all his life there. He is the parish priest, no doubt; but the gentleman who was parish priest when these circumstances first arose died about, three or four weeks ago.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will make further inquiries as to the advisability and usefulness of constructing two boat-slips which have been recommended by several persons?
MR. J. MORLEYI am making inquiries to-day upon the subject, and any charge of indifference or callousness against me is entirely without foundation.
§ MR. SEXTONMay I ask whether the Report of Major Fair says anything either to affirm or deny the statement of the parish priest—namely, that of these people, or the small minority on the middle island, who are able to obtain work are now working for a wage of 2d. a day?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say whether it is true that they are working for a wage of 2d. a day; but no facts were brought before us which would justify us in coming to Parliament and asking for funds to start relief works.