§ MR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Wexford Board of Guardians, in which they complain that great distress prevails in die division known as Slievemahanagh, that the ratepayers in the division are so poor that they can no longer afford to give out-door relief from the rates; and, if, in view of such destitution, he will establish relief works in that district?
MR. JOHN MORLEYThe word Wexford in this question is evidently a misprint for "Westport." I have received a resolution passed by the latter Board 289 of Guardians on the subject of distress in the electoral division mentioned, and am informed that the Local Government Board's Inspector has reported that the people, generally speaking, were fairly well off, though there were individual cases of poverty in the division, the rate on which is only 8d. in the £. The Board do not, at present, see any necessity for recommending the opening of relief works in this district, but their Inspector has been directed to make a further visit to the locality at an early date.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)asked, whether in accordance with the half-undertaking given by the right hon. Gentleman before Easter, he would undertake to institute independent investigations into the state of distressed localities?
MR. JOHN MORLEYsaid, that he did not know what the hon. Member meant by a half-undertaking. He had given no undertaking at all. What he had said was that if he should have reason to think that the Inspectors were not taking adequate steps to obtain information, he would consider what measures ought to be adopted. He had himself seen the Inspector concerned in the circumstances to which the Member referred, and he had satisfied himself, by a minute consideration of the question, that his statements were the result of inquiries made from those best qualified to supply information.
§ MR. MACNEILLasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman also cross-examined the Local Authorities, the Poor Law Guardians, and the parish priests.
MR. JOHN MORLEYwas understood to say that the Inspectors had been in constant communication with the district authorities, and that they had been instructed on no account to omit communicating with the priests.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked what the right hon. Gentleman would do if the Westport Board of Guardians found it impossible, without bringing bankruptcy upon the unfortunate ratepayers, to give the out-door relief certified to be necessary by the local officers?
MR. JOHN MORLEYI shall consider what is the best course of action to take as soon as the condition of things adumbrated by the hon. Member arises.
§ MR. R. AMBROSEasked whether the Board of Guardians in the locality referred to in his question no longer granted out-door relief?
MR. JOHN MORLEYreplied, that from the information in his possession, which was very good, he had reason to believe that the apprehensions expressed by hon. Gentlemen opposite were really groundless.