§ Mr. GINNELLasked whether the Local Government Board for Ireland received a letter in September, 1911, from Mr. Patrick Brett, cap manufacturer, Mullingar, complaining of the conduct of Mr. John T. Roche, secretary of Westmeath County Council, in connection with the tenancy of the council's premises occupied by the factory, and asking a sworn inquiry to be held into the allegations; if the Board communicated with the council on the subject; why their communication was not submitted to a quorum of that body; on what date it is alleged to have been submitted; how many members are alleged to have been present at the time; what order was reported to the Board as having been made; whether the Board are aware of the 551W cost put upon Westmeath at the instance of Mr. Roche in attempts to evict Mr. Brett and to recover rent from him for a time for which the council itself had used the premises as a technical school; whether the Board are aware that a letter, addressed by Mr. Brett to the presiding chairman and handed in,at the council meeting on the 21st May last, was intercepted and opened by Mr. Roche and not allowed to reach the chairman or the council; and when the Board propose to have these matters investigated?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The. Local Government Board did not communicate with the county council, as the matter referred to by Mr. Brett in his letter appeared to be entirely one between him and the county council, and as to which the Board were not entitled to make investigations. The Board have no information as regards the remainder of the question.