§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a large number of farmers in county Cavan have been subjected to great loss and hardship by proceedings for arrears of interest on small loans obtained under the local Loan Fund Boards being taken against them; and that in most of the cases the judicial decision was in favour of these men; and will any steps be taken to include their cases in the scope of the inquiry at present going on before a Committee of this House into the system of money lending?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThere are, in the County Cavan, only two loan fund societies working in connection with the Loan Fund Board. During the past six months the number of summonses issued by these societies against borrowers and their sureties was 31; of these 16 were settled without going into Court, and in the remaining 15 cases decrees were obtained for the full amount sued. As regards the second paragraph, I have no control over the proceedings of the Committee referred to; at the same time I may remind the hon. Member that the whole system of working of these loan fund societies in Ireland recently formed the subject of investigation by a Commission, and it does not appear to me that any fresh facts would be brought to light by a further inquiry.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLMay I ask whether legislation will be attempted on the subject?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am about shortly to bring in a Bill dealing with the subject.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)When will the Bill be brought in?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURShortly.