§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether he has received any report from the inspector in charge of Bawnboy Union on the subject of distress in that union; (2) whether he is aware that there are several public roads which it would be of great utility to have repaired in the union; and whether he can hold out any hope that help in this direction will be granted?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the statement made in the second paragraph. The measures adopted for the relief of exceptional distress were not, however, designed for the sole purpose of carrying out improvements in districts in which they appear to be required, but for the establishment of labour tests on conditions already explained by me. Should the necessity arise, the Guardians of the Bawnboy Union will be given an opportunity of adopting the Government proposals. The Inspector in charge will again visit the Union at an early date, and report further as to the condition of the poorer classes.