HC Deb 24 February 1893 vol 9 cc318-9
MR. CREAN (Queen's Co., Ossory)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state how many cottages were erected under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts in the Mountrath division of the Mountmellick Union, and cost of same; the number of cottages in respect of which schemes were adopted in said Union, but were not carried out, with the respective cates of adoption; and why said schemes were not carried into execution?

MR. J. MORLEY

said, that three labourers' cottages had been erected in the Mountrath Electoral Division of the Mountmellick Union at a cost of about £390. Various schemes for the erection of a number of houses had been submitted from time to time by the Board of Guardians, and the Local Government Board had made Provisional Orders, dated respectively 3rd February, 1887, 31st May, 1888, 12th March, 1890, and 26th June, 1891, authorising the erection of 61 cottages in the Union. Of these cottages 32 had been erected, and 19 were being built. Of the remaining 10, in two cases the Guardians had failed to get contractors at a reasonable price, in one there had been a difficulty in obtaining possession of the site, four had been abandoned by the Guardians, and, as regarded three, the arbitrators' award had only just been made.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been directed to a resolution which has been passed by a great many Boards of Guardians in Ireland with reference to the excessive prolixity and cost of the present procedure for the erection of labourers' cottages; and, if so, will steps be taken to provide a remedy?

MR. J. MORLEY

I have more than once stated that there is no doubt considerable protraction in carrying out schemes under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, but my hon. Friend will remember that precautions must be taken in the interests of the ratepayers. At the same time, I quite agree that it is desirable that the procedure should be simplified if possible, and I will endeavour to consider any proposal that may be made to me on the subject.