HC Deb 02 March 1896 vol 37 cc1461-2
MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, S.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he is aware that the Clerk of Carrickmacross Union, on 15th February 1896, informed the Local Government Board for Ireland that seven paupers from England and Scotland had been deported from 1891 to 1895; (2) if he is further aware that Patrick Brady, who was 40 years in Scotland, was deported from Glasgow to Carrickmacross Workhouse in 1892; and Peter M'Enany, who spent 50 years in Scotland, was deported from Kirkcaldy Workhouse to Carrickmacross Workhouse in March 1895; and that these men, after spending the good of their lives in Scotland, are at the present time costing the ratepayers of Carrickmacross Union about £20 per annum; and (4) what steps will he take to relieve the ratepayers of Carrickmacross Union of the support of Brady and M'Enany?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir CHARLES PEARSON, Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)

I have no reason to doubt the statement in the first paragraph. I have inquired into the two cases specially mentioned. Patrick Brady, after spending 30 years in various places in the south and west of Scotland, became at last chargeable to the city parish of Glasgow in 1892, and, as he desired to be sent home to Ireland, and had no legal settlement in Scotland, his wish was complied with, and his removal took place in September, 1892. Peter M'Enany became chargeable to Abbotshall, in the county of Fife, in December, 1894, and in March, 1895, the local Sheriff, after a careful inquiry, granted warrant for his removal, he having no settlement in Scotland at the time. I am not aware of any means by which the ratepayers can be relieved of their legal responsibility in the matter.

MR. DALY

asked if there was no redress open to the ratepayers in such cases as these? He had proof in his hand of the accuracy of the statement as set forth in the question.

MR. MCCARTAN (Down, S.)

Might I ask the Lord Advocate whether it is not the invariable practice to deport these paupers from Scotland to Ireland whether they desire it or not?

THE LORD ADVOCATE

Inquiry is provided for under the Act, and if that inquiry results in its being found that the pauper ought to be removed, he is removed whether he desires it or not. In one of these cases he did desire to be removed.

MR. MCCARTAN

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will explain what he means by saying whether a pauper ought to be removed or not.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The only question on the Paper is about the case of two particular men. If any general question is to be asked it must be put down on the Paper separately.

MR. MCCARTAN

Can the hon. Gentleman say why it was considered the two men ought to be removed?

THE LORD ADVOCATE

The Statute provides for an inquiry into certain points—first, whether a man is fit to be removed; and secondly, whether he has any legal settlement in Scotland.

COLONEL WARING (Down, N.)

Will the hon. Gentleman say what constitutes a legal settlement?

THE LORD ADVOCATE

That is provided for in the Statute.

MR. DALY

asked if M'Enany was not a householder in Kirkcaldy from 1887 to 1892, and as such was on the list of voters?

THE LORD ADVOCATE

I must ask for notice of that question.

MR. DALY

I shall give it.