§ 5. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it appears from minutes furnished to the Local Government Board that more than three-fourths of the rural district councils of Ireland 825 have within the last six months called for the repeal of the National Insurance Act so far as it relates to rural districts; whether he can mention any people in those districts desiring its continuance except those earning by its administration; and, in these circumstances, whether the Government still intend to disregard the wishes of the public?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 19th January, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs it not a fact that the Irish Local Government Board, of which the right hon. Gentleman is chairman, has received condemnation of this Act from nearly all the councils referred to?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, I cannot answer to that effect because we cannot tell from the minutes whether they should have been entered as read, whether they have been discussed, or whether they have been passed. The hon. Member may take it from me that a considerable number of representative bodies have passed resolutions expressing disagreement with the Insurance Act.