MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many cases of fever have occurred in the Carraroe Division of the Oughterard Union; whether he is aware that during the distress of 1898 Carraroe was one of the 1358 most distressed districts in Ireland; and whether, considering the recent outbreak of fever in 1899 in this district, he can state what steps the Local Government Board and the Congested Districts Board have taken to improve the material condition of the people of Carraroe, Carna, Gacumma Island, Lettermore Island, and Lettermullen Island.
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURSix cases of fever occurred in Carraroe since the 1st January last. I am aware that considerable distress existed in that district in 1898. Much has been done by the Congested Districts Board, since its establishment, to improve the material condition of the people in the localities mentioned in the last paragraph. I cannot, within the limits of a reply to a question, enumerate the various steps taken; but I have forwarded to the hon Member a statement showing what the Board has done.