HC Deb 11 February 1898 vol 53 cc353-4
MR. DANE (Fermanagh, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the intention of the Irish Government to institute remedial legislation in relation to the Irish Loan Fund during the present Session?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

A Bill has been prepared, and will shortly be introduced in order to meet the present urgent necessity of providing means for recovering outstanding debts in connection with Irish Loan Fund Societies. Further legislation may ultimately be necessary; but it would be impossible for Government to undertake to deal with the general constitution and management of these societies at present, and perhaps it would only be fair to the societies to give them a period of grace during which it will be seen whether the new rules embodying the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry have worked effectively.