§ MR. P. MCDONALD (Sligo, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the elected Guardians of Cliffony North, Cliffony South, Lisadell West, and of other divisions of the Sligo Union, received notice to attend the inquiry held on the 30th of August at Sligo Workhouse by the Local Government Inspector, Captain Sampson, into the necessity of erecting labourers' cottages in certain divisions of that union; whether it is mandatory on the Inspector to send such notice 14 days before to all parties interested—namely, the occupiers, the labourers who have made application, and to the sanitary authorities of the union, as well as to the landlords and ex-officio Guardians; and, whether, if such due notice has not been given, the Government will cause another inquiry to be held, so as to give the labourers an opportunity of making good their case, in order that the cottages which may be approved of shall be erected before the ensuing winter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, he was informed that the course of procedure indicated by the hon. Member was not that required by the Act. It was the practice of the Local Government Board to give notice of a pending inquiry, and the Board of Guardians were, at the same time, informed by letter that if they were prepared to offer any evidence in support of their case they might do so. It was not necessary for the Inspector conducting the inquiry to give any further notice. On the occasion referred to the usual notices were given; and he understood a small number of the Guardians attended, and stated that the proposed cottages could not be erected. The Local Government Board proposed to consult their legal adviser as to what should be done in the case, and the Guardians will be directed in the matter.