§ MR. KENNEDY (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of applications for new cottages received and refused by the Edenderry Board of Guardians under the Labourers' Acts from their inception up to 31st March, 1893; what were the general reasons assigned by the Guardians for refusing the labourers decent houses to live in; what advance has been made towards completion of the 13 cottages which the Local Government Board, Ireland, report as in progress or contracted for on 31st March, 1893; and whether, in view of the fact that the number of cottages authorised by the Local Government Board for the Edenderry Union is over 50 per cent. less than the average number authorised for all the other Unions of Leinster, he will cause the Local Government Board to expedite the passage of the schemes now under the consideration of or promoted by the Edenderry Board of Guardians?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (MR. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-Tyne(1.) The reply to first paragraph is 110. (2.) The general reasons assigned for the rejection of these applications are "informality of representations," "cottages not considered necessary," "applicants not looked upon as labourers within the meaning of the Acts." (3.) Of the 13 houses referred to in paragraph 3, five are finished, three are commenced but not finished, and five are not commenced. (4.) New schemes, having in view the erection of 37 cottages, were submitted to the Local Government Board for approval on the 2nd instant. The documents in relation to these are at present under examination, and, if found regular, a local inquiry will be held at the earliest date possible.
§ MR. KENNEDYDoes the difficulty arise in consequence of the existence of an Orange Lodge in the district?
§ [The question was not answered.]