§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Boards use public funds for the relief of unemployment; whether these funds are raised locally or imperially; whether these boards have any and, if so, what representative element; and how much money was disbursed by the Boards in the last financial year, altogether and in respect of those services which might reasonably be said to be in relief of unemployment.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board hold that their funds cannot be applied to the relief of temporary distress, and they have always-acted upon this principle. The Board's funds are 1428 derived partly from the Irish Church surplus and partly from the annual votes I of Parliament. The member of the Board other than ex-officio members are nominated by the Crown; none are elected. The total expenditure of the Board in 1906–7 was £341,581, details of which will be found in the Annual Report presented to Parliament.