§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement made at a recent meeting of the Charity Organisation in Belfast to the effect that, owing to the short time in the mills and factories, distress was exceptional, and that only £7 had been received from the proprietors of the mills and factories in response to an appeal for subscriptions to the relief fund; is he aware that the Lord Mayor stated that there was a great deal of suffering in the city of Belfast at present owing to the lack of work, that many of the mill-workers were able to earn only a few shillings per 741 week, that their husbands were out of work, and that they had to support the households with their earnings; whether he can say if any general attempt is being made locally to meet this exceptional distress; and whether he will advise the local authorities to start relief works as a means of mitigating it.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have learnt that there is at present an increased demand for relief in Belfast in consequence of distress arising from industrial depression. The Board, however, have no reason to believe that the resources of the union will be inadequate to meet any distress which may arise, and they have no present grounds for making any special representations on the subject to the local authorities. If exceptional measures for affording outdoor relief should, in the opinion of the board of guardians, become necessary, the guardians will no doubt apply for extended powers under Section 13 of the Local Government Act.