§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceeding at the Belfast Board of Guardians on July 25th, 1905, with reference to the case of a child named Kate Benson, who had been registered by the guardians a. Protestant although her father had lived and died a Catholic, and she had been brought up in that creed until the time of his death; whether he is aware that the board's solicitor had written them to the effect that the child ought to 1172 be registered as a Catholic; that an attempt had been made by several of the guardians at the meeting to conceal the solicitor's letter; and that the meeting refused to rescind the resolution declaring the child a Protestant, but, instead of this, agreed to forward the solicitor's letter to the Local Government Board; and whether, pending the reply of the Board, he will order forthwith that the law be carried out, and that the child be registered and recognised as a Catholic.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe facts are generally as stated. The Local Government Board, however, are advised that the guardians complied with the law in registering the child as a Presbyterian, having regard to the fact that the surviving parent professed that religious creed and desired the child to be brought up in it.
§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the solicitor to the board stated that the action of the board was illegal?
§ MR. WALTER LONGNo, Sir.