HC Deb 25 February 1907 vol 169 cc1266-7
MR. SHEEHY (Meath, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inspector of the Local Government Board reported the claims of John Clarke, John Corregan, and Patrick Caffery at the recent Labourers Act inquiry held in Dunshaughlin; and, if so, what were the grounds of such action.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)

The Local Government Board's inspector disallowed the applications of the persons named, because the conditions laid down by the Labourers Act were not fulfiled in some respects. I have communicated to the hon. Member a full statement of the facts.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Did not the Chief Secretary last session promise to bring in a Bill which it was generally recognised would be uncontentious? Cannot a like Bill now be brought in?

MR. CHERRY

said he was not aware of any such promise having been made, but so far as he was concerned he would do his best to facilitate the passage of the Bill in every possible way.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Let the Bill be brought in at once. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman no Party or body of men will oppose it.

MR. T. L. CORBETT

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of coupling this work with several other important piers in the North of Ireland?

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible opportunity I will call attention to this matter, which is little short of a scandal.