Question

How did the British Prime minister Russel Peel help the Irish during the famine?

• A. He passed a law to end the Corn Laws.
• B. He provided free food to all the Irish people
• C. He provided free rations to the Irish people for 1 year
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A He passed a law to end the Corn Laws.

The failure of the Irish potato crop in 1845 persuaded Peel to support the repeal of all Corn Laws, which was achieved in 1846. On 27 January 1846, Peel gave his government's plan. He said that the Corn Laws would be abolished on 1 February 1849 after three years of gradual reductions of the tariff, leaving only a 1 shilling duty per quarter. Hence, Option A is correct. Free food and rations could not be given to Irish people due to a lack of resources and fear of the government's bankruptcy. Hence, the rest of the options are incorrect.