§ MR. ROSS (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a considerable number of the cottages erected under the Labourers' Acts in the South and West of Ireland are in the occupation of persons who are not labourers; and whether he is willing to give a Return of such cottages occupied by persons who are not bonâ fide labourers?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Local Government Board inform me that they are not aware that a considerable number of cottages erected under the Labourers' Acts are in the occupation of persons who cannot be deemed to be agricultural labourers within the meaning of the Acts. The occupants of these cottages have been selected by the Local Authorities, the Boards of Guardians, and as it is evident they consider the parties to be within the provisions of the Acts, I see no sufficient reason for granting a Return on the subject.
§ MR. ROSSinquired if the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been directed to recent proceedings before the Irish Privy Council, in which it transpired that in one Union five of these cottages were occupied by persons who were not labourers? Would he not, under the circumstances, further inquire?
MR. J. MORLEYI am not aware of the details of that case, but if the hon. Member will lay the facts before me, either privately or in the form of a question on the Paper, I will inquire.