§ MR. M'GILLIGAN (Fermanagh, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if he could state how many labourers' cottages have been erected in the Coleraine Union since the passing of the Act; (2) whether he is aware that a large number of applications from Knockintern and other divisions of the Union have been sent to the Coleraine Board of Guardians and rejected on the ground of 12 alleged informalities, such as several signatures being in the same handwriting, applicants working for various employers, and similar reasons; (3) whether the Local Government Board have had to interfere and direct the Coleraine Board to consider these applications on the ground that the informalities were immaterial; and (4) will the Local Government Board direct the Coleraine Board to amend applications, when necessary, in the future, and facilitate the operation of the Act?
MR. J. MORLEY(1.) No cottages have been built under the Labourers' Acts in this Union. (2.) I believe the facts to be as stated in the second paragraph. (3.) It having been represented to the Local Government Board that the signatures to one of the representations were genuine, the Board have asked the Guardians to reconsider the matter again after notice. The Guardians have appointed a Committee to visit the localities where it is alleged houses are required, and have called on the Medical Officer of Health for a Report as to the condition of the houses stated to be unfit for habitation. They will hold a special meeting on the 25th instant to reconsider the whole matter. (4.) A Board of Guardians have no power to alter or amend representations made to them under the Labourers' Acts.