11. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if lie can state for last year the total number of families in Ireland outside of the rural areas; and whether there has been an increase or a decrease as compared with the 295,633 given in the Census Returns of 1911 as the total number of families in Ireland in that year, exclusive of those in the rural areas?
§ Mr. DUKEThere is no record of the number of families in Ireland subsequent to that of the 1911 Census. Perhaps I may add that there would have to be a long course of inquiry by the constabulary to obtain the particulars, and I would ask my hon. Friend to consider whether it is desirable at the present time to incur the expense and trouble of compiling particulars in that way.
Mr. HAZLETONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can state the figure is correct, that there are less than 300,000 families outside the rural areas in all Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEMy attention was not directed to that underlying assumption. If my hon. Friend will repeat the question one day next week, I will have an answer ready.