HC Deb 21 March 1892 vol 2 cc1325-6
MR. O'NEILL (Antrim, Mid.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if any representations under the Labourers' (Ireland) Acts, 1883 to 1891, have been made to the Ballymena Board of Guardians, or to the Local Government Board by labourers in the Poor Law division of Portglenone, and what action has been taken with reference to such representations?

MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)

had notice of the following question:—To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and, if so, how many, representations under the Labourers' Acts (Ireland), 1883 to 1891, have been presented to the Ballymena Board of Guardians; whether any of these have been made on behalf of and signed by labourers or others living in the Poor Law electoral divisionof Lisnagarron, Union of Ballymena; whether he is aware that numerous deputations of labourers have waited upon the Ballymena Board of Guardians to represent their views in support of these representations; whether any action has been taken by the Board of Guardians; whether the Local Government Board has been required to institute a local inquiry under Section 4 of "The Labourers' (Ireland) Act, 1891;" and what action is proposed to be taken?

Mr. JACKSON

With the permission of the House I shall now also reply to Question No. 25, asked by the hon. Member for South Antrim. Representations appear to have been made to the Board of Guardians of the Ballymena Union in respect of the Lisnagarron, Portglenone, and other electoral divisions of the Union, proposing the erection of labourers' cottages. The Guardians appear to have appointed a Committee to visit the districts and to report; and the Guardians are to have a special meeting on the 19th April, to consider the matter. The Local Government Board have within the past few days received complaints from the districts referred to, complaining of the alleged delay of the Guardians in the case. The Board are communicating with the Guardians on the subject.

MR. MACARTNEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman request that an earlier day than 19th April shall be appointed for the consideration of the matter by the Guardians?

Mr. JACKSON

Well, I think that if a special meeting has been called for 19th April it would be an unusual course to alter it.