§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Wexford District Council, at a recent meeting, condemned by resolution the action of the arbitrator, Mr. Cliff Owen, by which he awarded, in the case of James Clancy and William Francis, £15 and £21 17s. 6d. respectively, whilst the council's offer was £5 and £8 10s.; I whether he can state the basis by which the arbitrator arrived at the award; and if he will make provision in the Labourers' Bill to prevent awards of this kind.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local, Government Board have received the resolution referred to. The facts, however, are not correctly stated in the Question. In the case of James Clancy, who claims £10, the council offered £5, and the arbitrator awarded £8 10s., of which £1 was allowed for special injury to the claimant's lands. In the case of William Francis, who claimed £37 10s., the council offered £15, and the arbitrator awarded £21 17s. 6d. The arbitrator arrived at his decision after taking into consideration the sworn evidence of all the parties and after inspection of the plots. It is not proposed to make any alteration of the law as regards arbitration.