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The MARQUESS of WESTMEATH moved for—
Copies of all Communications made in and since the month of February, 1849, to the Board of Works in Ireland, or to the Irish Government, by the Marquess of Westmeath, Sir Montague Chapman, or any other Landed Proprietors in the Barony of Delvin and county of Westmeath, relative to the Public Works carried on in that Locality under what is termed Mr. Labouchere's
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Letter; and the Replies thereto, as well as all Enclosures accompanying the same.
The noble Marquess went into minute local details, with a view of showing that the persons employed had not done their duty—that the landed proprietors in the barony of Delvin had not been fairly treated by the Irish Government—and contended that the repayment of the loans which had been made to them should be extended over a period of forty' years, and that they had a fair and just claim for the favour of the Government.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNErepelled the charge that the Government had dealt unfairly with these proprietors, and reminded the noble Mover of a fact he seemed to have forgotten; namely, that the money borrowed for the public works and improvements had been granted on the stipulation that it should be repaid in ten years; but that last year that term had been extended to twenty-two years. He had no objection to lay on the table a copy of the correspondence alluded to by the noble Marquess; but he could not hold out any hope that the time for the repayment of advances made to individuals would be extended beyond the period at present fixed. It would be impossible to comply with his request, to give the applications of parties for advances, as they were most voluminous; and if they were given they would be of no advantage as regarded furnishing information. The letters of Mr. Griffith and other parties would explain the whole circumstances of the case.
§ On Question, agreed to.
§ House adjourned to Thursday next.