§ MR. HOOPER(for Mr. LEAMY) (Cork Co., N.E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, The cause of the delay of the Local Government Board to hold the "local inquiry" into the Petition of the Guardians of the Fermoy Union for the confirmation of an improvement scheme for the erection of 222 labourers' cottages, which was lodged on the 16th of August last; and, whether, bearing in mind that the Winter is fast setting in, and the building of the cottages must necessarily be put off to Spring if the inquiry be not forthwith held, he will direct the Local Government Board to hold it at once?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The Local Government Board have had before them the resolution of the Guardians of the Fermoy Union on the subject of this question; and they have been informed that Petitions have been received from three other Unions in the same district, and that inquiries into those cases must, in the regular and ordinary course, take precedence of 1119 Fermoy; but that as soon as the Inspector was at liberty no delay whatever would take place in holding the Fermoy inquiry.