§ MR. RICHARD M. DANE () Fermanagh, N.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the decision on appeal, at the recent assizes for the County Donegal, of Mr. Justice Holmes, in the case of Travers v. Doherty, affirming the decision of Judge Webb to the effect that the Local Loan Fund Boards cannot legally recover on foot of renewal bills of exchange; and (2) whether having regard to the recent Report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the administration of the Loan Fund Acts in Ireland, and the memorial presented to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant by depositors in the loan funds, it is the intention of the Irish Government to take any steps, and if so what steps, to safeguard the interests of the many depositors whoso money has been illegally advanced to borrowers?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDThe fact is, I am informed, as stated in the first paragraph. With 628 regard to the concluding inquiry in the second paragraph, the Irish Government, as has already been pointed out, cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred by depositors in the funds of these loan societies, or for the transactions of the officers of these bodies. I may state, however, that the whole question of the management of the loan societies is at present engaging the careful attention of the Loan Fund Board, and that the Government are also considering the question of the necessity of further legislation with a view to strengthen the administration and supervision of the Central Board.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY () Louth, N.Do the Government accept any responsibility (seeing that this Department is carried on by the Government and the Castle inspectors) for the depositors' money?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDThe hon. Member is entirely mistaken in that view.