§ MR. CAREW(for Mr. T. P. GILL) (Louth, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, after a long delay, and after a Question had been asked in this House on the matter, a Local Go- 892 vernment Board Inspector held an inquiry in connection with a scheme for labourers' cottages in the Ardee Union last October; why is it that, although this inquiry was held nearly four months ago, no Report has yet been issued by the Inspector, notwithstanding repeated applications for such Report by the Ardee Board of Guardians; and, whether the Chief Secretary will take steps to see that the desire of the entire locality with respect to this scheme for labourers' cottages is complied with by the Local Government Board?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W)The scheme under the Labourers' Act in the Ardee Union necessarily took time, as it was of a very extensive character, and there were various matters in dispute between the Sanitary Authority and the owners of land proposed to be taken as alternative sites. The Report of the Inspector was, however, made some weeks ago. It is under the consideration of the Local Government Board, and will be communicated to the Guardians with as little delay as possible. No doubt the carrying out of the schemes under the Labourers' Act could be much more promptly effected if they were not so numerous. But the fact is that great pressure is put on the Local Government Board staff by reason of the extent to which the provisions of the Act are taken advantage of; and the schemes of the several Boards of Guardians to some extent stand in each other's way. A temporary addition was made in the autumn to the staff of the Local Government Board in order to enable them to deal more rapidly with the matter.