§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been directed to the question of advances by way of loan to Boards of Guardians for workhouse buildings in Ireland; and whether he will take steps to assimilate the law in Ireland on this point to that in Great Britain?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy attention has been directed to the question of advances by way of loan to Boards of Guardians for workhouse buildings in Ireland through a letter addressed to me by the hon. Member who puts this question, and who urged the importance of the matter. It appears that under Section 89 of 1 and 2 Vic., Cap 56, the Exchequer Bill Loan Commissioners had power to make such advances in Ireland. This provision was repealed in the Statute Law Revision Act of 1892, by reason of its having been superseded by 38 and 39 Vic., Cap. 89. It is believed that the Public Works Loan Commissioners have now power to make these loans in Ireland, but I am having this point definitely looked into.