§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the possibility of a Government grant to assist the fishermen who are sufferers from the recent disaster at Portavogie.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction were asked by me to make special inquiry into the circumstances attending the disaster referred to, which had been brought before me by my hon. friend and by a deputation from the locality. Their report shows that there are some circumstances of an exceptional character, which enable a contribution to be made towards the expense of repairing the damaged boats without creating a precedent which would cause a larger demand than could properly be met by the limited funds available for all purposes of sea fisheries.