§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that representations have been made to the Local Government Board for Ireland with reference to the question of striking off irrecoverable rates; and, seeing that in the town of Longford persons have been returned as in arrear who have been dead six years, and in their lifetime were on outdoor relief, whether he will direct the Local Government Board to authorise such names to be removed from the rate books.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. A list of rates due in respect of holdings in the town of Longford and alleged to be irrecoverable has been forwarded to the Local Government Board. The auditor is of opinion that the proposal to strike off these rates as irrecoverable is a reasonable one, and that no useful 611 object will be gained by retaining the items on the books. In these circumstances the Board raise no objection to the arrears being struck off.
§ MR. FARRELLWill that decision be communicated to the county and urban councils?
§ MR. ATKINSONI presume so.