§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Loan Fund Society collapsed in consequence of the dishonesty of an official; whether it has been brought to his notice that its accounts were duly vouched by the auditor of the Loan Fund Board at a time of hopeless insolvency and mismanagement, and that many widows and poor persons have lost all their savings by becoming debenture-holders; and whether, having 75 regard to the general lack of care taken by the Dublin Castle Board in looking after this society, the Government will introduce a short Bill to enable these poor debenture-holders to be compensated for their loss.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe hon. Member will find the question fully replied to in an answer given by me to the hon. Member for East Cork on the 23rd February, 1897.