§ MR. KENNEDY (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with regard to the treatment of the labourer McNamara by the Edenderry Board of Guardians, whether it is to be understood that when a labourer has fulfilled all the conditions prescribed by law to obtain a cottage and plot of ground it is open to the Board of Guardians without reason to ignore his claim, and give possession to another labourer who has taken no steps towards having a cottage erected; and whether, since the Local Government Board have constantly interfered with the discretion of Boards of Guardians in Ireland on other matters, they will use in this case their discretionary powers of control, and cause the Edenderry Board of Guardians to reconsider this case, with a view to determining the present tenant's occupation and the restoration of McNamara to the house which was built on his representation?
MR. J. MORLEYUnder the existing law the Board of Guardians may act in the manner referred to in the question. The course adopted by the Guardians is, however, contrary to the spirit and intention of the Labourers' Acts, and when complaints respecting the action of Boards of Guardians in this 772 respect are made the Local Government Board inform them to this effect, and point out that by adhering to their decision the object of the Act would be defeated. A communication in this sense will be addressed to the Edenderry Guardians.