LORD JOHN MANNEESasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can state the number of orders made by the Land Commissioners for the erection of Labourers' cottages, and the number of cottages which have been erected in consequence of such orders?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Land Commissioners inform me that the number of such orders made is 339; but that they are unable to state how many cottages have been erected in consequence of such orders. By Section 4 of the Labourers' Cottages and Allotments Act, a tenant who has been ordered to erect or improve a cottage is liable, on the complaint of any labourer employed on his holding, and in whose favour an order was made, to a penalty, recoverable before Justices in Petty Sessions, of £1 for every week—after six months from the date of the order—during which such order remains unobeyed. The enforcement of an order is, therefore, left to the person benefited thereby. I have asked the Board of Works to supply me with a statement of the amount expended through their Department for the last 10 years on labourers' cottages, and when I receive it I shall be happy to show it to the noble Lord.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSWould it be possible to obtain information as to the number of cottages that have been erected?
§ MR. TREVELYANI imagine it would be very difficult; but I will follow up the matter.