§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to an investigation lately held at Londonderry with reference to the conduct of the collector of Customs at that port towards emigrants arriving there from America; whether he has any information showing that the number of passengers landing at Londonderry has decreased; and whether he is aware that at the close of the investigation the collector was reprimanded as to the manner in which he discharged his duties; and, if so, will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ * MR. RITCHIEIn consequence of a complaint which was made to them in January last as to the manner in which the examination of passengers' baggage was conducted at Londonderry, the Board of Customs caused inquiry to be made into the matter on the occasion of the annual inspection of the Port by one of their surveyors-general. As a result of the inquiry, it appeared that there was no adequate ground for the complaint. It is not true that the collector was "reprimanded as to the manner in which he discharged his duties." I have no information as to the alleged decrease in the number of passengers landing at Londonderry.