§ MR. CRILLYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is in receipt of any information showing that, in consequence of the storms which have been prevailing on the north-west coast of Mayo, no cargoes of Indian meal or flour can be landed? Is he aware that, as a result of this inability to land such cargoes, the small occupiers in the neighbourhood of Belmullet are practically without any food: and what steps the Government intend to take to meet the immediate wants of these people?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am aware that much inconvenience has been caused in the neighbourhood of Belmullet owing to the difficulty experienced by cargo vessels in reaching the place through stress of weather. On the 11th and 15th instant vessels arrived with about 36 tons of flour and meal, and other vessels were on their way to Belmullet. In a report received from the Vice-Guardians on Saturday last, they did not apprehend that there was any danger of the people suffering from want of food, and stated they would at once inform the Local Government Board should any such danger arise. I have caused a telegram to be sent to the Vice-Guardians for further information as to the present state of affairs.