MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his 1376 attention has been directed to a report of a meeting of the Mansion House Distress Committee, South and West Ireland, 12th April, where a speech was made by a gentleman who had been employed by the Manchester Committee, in which he called special attention to the distress existing in Connemara; and whether he can state if any action has been taken in those districts, and, if so, with what results, or if it is intended to give further employment on reproductive works?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURPossibly the honourable Member refers to the speech made on the 2nd instant by a Mr. Greer relative to the condition of the people in the west of Ireland, as I am not aware that a meeting on the subject was held at the Mansion House on the 12th April. Relief works have been opened by boards of guardians in all the western unions in which distress exists. The result has been that all persons ascertained to be in need of relief have been afforded employment on the works. Further relief on works will be given as the necessity arises.