§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that the Irish Local Government Board have recently reccommended the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury not to permit the Corporation of the City of Cork to borrow money for the erection of a Town Hall and offices; whether it has been conclusively proved to the Board that such a hall and offices are necessary to the Corporation, and will ultimately prove a saving of expense; whether he is aware that the reccommendation given by the Board, that the Corporation should apply to Parliament for an extension of borrowing powers under the Cork Improvement Act, will, in its application, entail not merely con- 730 siderable expense, but, by delay incurred, possibly prevent the Corporation obtaining the desired premises; whether he will recommend the authorization of the proposed loan, as it is for a necessary public work, and one which will provide considerable employment for our artizans and labourers in this period of depression; and, whether he can state on whose reccommendation the decision of the Government was taken?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)who replied) said: The Treasury, before refusing to sanction the loan referred to, had consulted the Local Government Board, Ireland. I have not seen any proof of the absolute necessity for the proposed purchase, or of the saving to be effected. The recommendation of the Treasury, that the Corporation should apply to Parliament for further borrowing powers, was made on the ground that the borrowing powers sanctioned by Parliament have been practically exhausted. The arguments suggested by the hon. Member do not appear to me to be sufficient to justify a reversal of the Treasury decision.
§ In reply to a further Question by Dr. TANNER,
§ MR. JACKSONsaid, the question came before the Treasury in this way. The borrowing powers of the Corporation were £62,000, and they had exercised them to the extent of £61,500. In. addition to borrowing under the authority of Parliament the Corporation might also borrow on the security of the Borough Fund; but he believed that Fund was already charged, if not to the full extent, very nearly; and it appeared to the Treasury, therefore, that the better course would be for the Corporation to apply for the sanction of Parliament.
§ DR. TANNERasked, whether the sum of £10,000 on the loan mentioned by the hon. Gentleman was not allowed to be raised to meet the expenditure in connection with the Town Hall? The hon. Gentleman had also omitted to answer the last paragraph of the Question.
§ MR. JACKSONWith regard to the last paragraph of the Question, I think the best answer I can give is that the decision of the Treasury was arrived at on the recommendation of those who are responsible for this business. With 731 regard to the £10,000,I am afraid I have not the details with me.
§ DR. TANNERsaid, he would again raise the question in the course of the evening.