§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in Belfast and other parts of Ireland objection is taken by the League of the Blind to the system of placarding in public places, even at the street corners in which they reside, the names of those who are in receipt of outdoor relief, and also bringing those persons twice yearly before the Poor Law Board; and whether, as no such system exists in Great Britain, and the relief is paid in cash instead of kind, he will see his way to have the system in Ireland assimilated to that in England.
MR. BRYCEThe Local Government Board are not aware of the objection mentioned in the Question. The practice referred to has been found to be a great safeguard against fraud, by enabling poor persons to see the amount which has been voted to them; and it also acts as a check to the giving of outdoor relief to persons who are not fit subjects for such relief. The Local Government Board have no information as to what the practice is in England, but experience has convinced them that this practice has not worked ill, and that it is desirable to have the lists of recipients of relief revised at least once in each half year.