HC Deb 07 March 1895 vol 31 cc551-2
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) Whether he is aware that Thomas Briceland, Labourer, of Feddyglas, in the union of Strabane, made due application for a cottage under the Labourers Acts, and attended the investigation held by the Local Government Board's Inspector at Strabane; (2) Whether he has since forwarded to the Local Government Board a notice to quit, served on him by the landlord in consequence of his application; and (3) whether the Local Government Board will direct their Inspector to deal with the case promptly, so that the man may not lose his claim by being compelled to leave the district for want of a habitation?

Mr. J. MORLEY

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. It is also the fact that this man was served with a notice to quit, and the Local Government Board's Inspector states, that when the man made application for a cottage under the Labourers Acts, he had a very good house with five or six rooms in it, together with a small plot of ground. The Inspector, when making a scheme, will have regard to the general requirements of the district.

MR. A. O'CONNOR

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that Peter M'Brearty filled a representation form under the Labourers Acts, and attended the Inspector's inquiry at Strabane, and that the Inspector condemned the man's house as unfit for habitation; whether he is aware that the house has since been nearly destroyed by a storm; and, whether the Inspector will be authorised to make provision for the case?

MR. J. MORLEY

I regret to have to ask my hon. and learned Friend to postpone this question until Monday.

MR. J. J. CLANCY (Dublin, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, can he state what is the reason of the long delay that has occurred in holding the usual Local Government Board inquiry as to the propriety of a scheme for the erection of labourers' cottages in the vicinity of Kells, county of Meath?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am informed by the Local Government Board that the inquiry in this case has already been fixed for the 18th instant, and that notice to this effect has been publicly given. The date fixed was the earliest the Board could fix, having regard to the other engagements of their Inspectors.