§ MR. D. CRILLY (Mayo, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that at a meeting of the Castlebar (County Mayo) Board of Guardians, held on the 6th ult., a discussion took place in reference to a case where it was alleged that a woman had died from hunger and exposure in the district of Doonroya, in the parish of Adderagoole; whether he will inquire if there is any foundation for this allegation; and whether he is in a position to state if anything has been done to cope with the distress that has been prevailing for months past in the neighbourhood of Lahardane and Adderagoole?
MR. JOHN MORLEYI have seen a newspaper report of the discussion 627 referred to. Both the Local Government Board's Inspector and the local police have made inquiries into the case, and both report that the woman died from natural causes. She had been ailing for some months before her death, and her husband told the sergeant of police that there was plenty of milk, bread, flour, and stimulant in the house at the time of the woman's death. As regards the last paragraph, I am informed that the latest reports received show that there is no occasion to open relief works in this district. The Inspector will, however, again visit it shortly and make further inquiry on the point. I may add that the woman referred to would not, under any circumstances, have been a proper person for employment on Relief Works. Her case was altogether one for relief by the Guardians and their officers.
§ MR. CRILLYasked the right hon. Gentleman whether some method could not be devised by which such information could be supplied to Irish Members from month to month, in order to relieve them from the necessity of putting, and the right hon. Gentleman answering such questions.
MR. J. MORLEYsaid, his hon. Friend must be aware that there is a Return made to Parliament of all relief works undertaken; but he would consider the point whether anything further could be done.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)asked, whether it was not the fact that in the part of the county referred to it was difficult just now to get labour for the ordinary agricultural work, and if there was any necessity for relief works being spread over the whole year.
MR. J. MORLEYsaid, it was quite true there was a difficulty in getting labour at present for ordinary agricultural purposes.