§ MR. NOLAN (Louth, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that more than two years have elapsed since the first steps were taken for the erection of dwellings in the Ardu Union under the Labourers' Dwellings Act, and that an absolute order was granted in August, 1887; that the necessary notices to landlords, &c., for fixing fair rents were delivered ready for service to the solicitor to the Board of Guardians, Ardu Union, last December; and, if he can state the cause of this great waste of time, and say who is responsible for it?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The lands to be taken compulsorily for the purpose are to be acquired (1) by purchase, in regard to which the arbitration proceedings are in progress; and (2) by lease, with respect to which the necessary notices for service on owners and occupiers were sent to the Guardians' solicitor on December 16, 1887; but the Land Commission having declared them to be defective, further 1388 proceedings were necessary, which, however, have now been fully carried out, and the cases have been delegated for hearing before a Sub-Commission at the beginning of next month. The solicitor to the Guardians reports that there has been no unnecessary delay on his part in the matter.