§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a copy of a resolution from the Guardians of the Listowel Union, passed unanimously at their meeting on the 10th inst., in which they state that agricultural labourers in certain portions of the Union are in a state bordering on starvation; and whether there is any intention to take steps for the opening of relief works within the Union district?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have received a copy of a resolution to the effect mentioned in the Question. The number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief in the Listowel Union is considerably less than at the same period in the year 1895, when it was not found necessary to open relief works in the Union. On the information before me, I see no reason to apprehend extraordinary distress in this Union during the coming spring, or an amount of destitution amongst the labouring classes beyond what can be provided for out of the rates, without laying any exceptional burden on the Union.