§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How many labourers' cottages have been built in the Bandon Union district by the Bandon Board of Guardians; whether it is a fact that 220 cottages have been applied for in the Union, and 147 authorized by the Local Government Board; whether £449 10s. 9d. has been already incurred as preliminary expenses; and, what steps will be taken by the Local Government Board to enforce the erection of labourers' cottages by the Bandon Board of Guardians?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Clerk of Bandon Union reports that 13 labourers' cottages have been completed, and 14 are in course of erection. It is the case that 220 cottages have been applied for. The number authorized by the Local Government Board was 133. Preliminary expenses to the amount of £449 10s. 9d. were incurred up to the 31st of March, 1887. The Guardians were precluded from entering into possession of the lands for the purposes of these cottages until they 678 had taken the usual arbitration proceedings, or had received the consents of the parties interested. The clerk states that the arbitrator's award was not made until December last. The Guardians thereupon took the necessary steps for the erection of the cottages, and are expediting the matter as far as possible.
§ DR. TANNERasked, if it was not the fact that the Earl of Bandon was Chairman of the Board of Guardians, and that the Board had done everything in their power to prevent the erection of labourers' cottages; and whether the right hon. Gentleman would communicate with the Local Government Board and the Board of Guardians, in order to expedite the erection of these cottages?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he was afraid he could not answer the further Question. If the hon. Gentleman would put it on the Paper he would answer it.