§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Local Government Board by circular addressed to the Wexford Board of Guardians, and dated 2nd July, refused to sanction the granting of outdoor relief to the tenants of labourers' cottages except the medical officer certified their unfitness for removal to the workhouse; and whether he will take steps to amend the Poor Relief Act, so as to provide for their being relieved in their own homes during temporary illness, and thus prevent the breaking up of the labourers' homes.
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo such circular has been lately issued by the Local Government Board, but when recently questioned as to the legality of affording outdoor relief to the occupants of labourers' cottages, it pointed out to the guardians the statutory prohibition to give relief to occupiers of more than a quarter of an acre of land. In cases of sudden and urgent necessity the relieving officer has power to temporarily afford relief in food or medical attendance.