HC Deb 10 March 1898 vol 54 cc1235-6
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the threatened famine in the Ballyvourney district, and, whether, in connection with the great distress prevalent in this and the contingent Kilnamartyra and Clondrohid districts, he could consider whether some public work or works could be undertaken, such as a light railway to Ballyvourney, and afford immediate relief?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Upon the information at present before me I have no reason to believe that there is any abnormal destitution among any portion of the people in the districts referred to, or any destitution of such character and extent as cannot be dealt with by the Guardians out of the rates of the Union. In this connection, I may point out that there is a considerable decrease in the numbers now in receipt of outdoor relief as compared with the corresponding period of last year.