§ MR. MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether he is aware that one clerk, in the interests of the Loan Fund Ring, not infrequently manages several loan funds; that the annual income of these clerks varies from £100 to £800 a year; that the rent of these loan fund offices is charged on the Loan Fund Board at a figure in excess of that actually paid, the difference in the sum paid and the sum charged finding its way into the pockets of the officials, while in other oases the offices are let for the purposes of the loan fund at exorbitant rents by the clerks and other officials; and (2) whether, having regard to the charges publicly circulated against the loan funds, and neglect on the part of the Loan Fund Board in correcting these abuses, the Government will speedily fulfil their undertaking of instituting a searching Inquiry into the loan fund system in Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will indicate the particular societies respecting which the alleged abuses exist, the matter will have the immediate attention of the Board. As to the second paragraph, I am considering whether an Inquiry into the whole working of the system of loan funds in Ireland should not be made; and, if made, what form it should take.