§ MR. JASPER TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state in how many distressed districts in the counties of Leitrim, Roscommon, and Sligo, it has been decided to start relief works; and whether, as the temporary inspectors appointed by the Local Government Board have generally sent in reports adverse to the starting of relief works in these counties, he can state for what period the services of these gentlemen will be retained?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneIt is not proposed at present to open relief works in the counties of Leitrim, Roscommon, and Sligo. Works have been opened in the portion of Bawnboy Union bordering on county Leitrim, and some persons from that county have been recommended for employment. The services of the temporary inspectors now employed will probably be required until the month of July. In addition to the Reports of the temporary inspectors on the districts in question, I 530 have been furnished with Reports from a permanent inspector, who has had a long acquaintance with this part of Ireland, and the result of his investigations shows that no abnormal distress exists there at present.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)asked, when it was proposed to take the Relief of Distress Bill, and when the House would have information as to the spending of the money?
§ MR. J. MORLEYsaid, that £35,000 had already been voted by the House for the relief of distress, and he gave the Committee on that occasion information as to the purposes to which that money would be applied. No doubt, when the Vote came on again, a further indication would be given of the way in which the money would be spent.