§ MR. P. A. MCHUGH (Leitrim, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Manorhamilton Board of Guardians requested the Local Government Board to sanction an additional loan for the purchase of seed potatoes, and that the Local Government Board refused to give their sanction; and that the Bill recently introduced dealing with distress in Ireland gives power to the Local Government Board to sanction loans up to the 1st September, 1905; and, if so, in view of the hardship and loss that will result from the refusal of the Local Government Board to sanction the loan, will he direct that Board to reconsider its decision.
§ MR. ATKINSONBy public notice issued on 12th December last, the 15th February was fixed as the latest date for receiving applications for loans, and this date was subsequently extended to 11th March. The guardians, therefore, received ample notice. Their application for a supplemental loan was a fortnight late. It is not intended to entertain further applications.