§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that since 1841 the population of Ireland has declined from 8,197,000 to 4,458,775, being a reduction equal to nearly 90 per cent. of the present population of the country; whether he is aware that in the same period the population of England has increased from 16,038,000 to 30,807,243, being an increase of nearly 90 per cent., and that of Scotland from 2,620,000 to 4,472,103, being an increase of nearly 70 per cent.; whether he is aware that the population of Ireland is still decreasing, whilst that of England and Scotland is still increasing; and whether he proposes to initiate during the present session any legislation 727 with the object of arresting the continued decline in the population of Ireland.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI believe the figures in the Question are substantially accurate, although not to a figure. I have no suggestion to make for dealing by legislation with the question of the depopulation of Ireland.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDDo we take that as a confession of despair on the part of the British Government of Ireland and of failure to stem the tide of emigration from that country?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not take it in that way at all. The hon. Member will agree that the standard of comfort of the inhabitants as well as their number has to be taken into account.