§ MR. J. J. CLANCY (Dublin, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a Resolution passed by the Balrothery Board of Guardians, county of Dublin, calling his attention to the necessity of reducing the rate of interest charged on loans made for the erection of labourers' cottages, and to his recently expressed intention to introduce an Amendment of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, with a view of simplifying and cheapening the working of those enactments; whether he can hold out any hope that the promised Bill referred to will be introduced and pressed through its various stages in this House during the present Session; and whether he will be willing to advise a reduction of the rate of interest on the loans mentioned?
MR. J. MORLEYI have already stated that if a suitable opportunity should arise I would take the opportunity of introducing the promised Bill dealing with the Amendment of the Labourers Acts. As to the reduction on the rates of interest on loans under 732 these Acts, this is a matter for the Treasury, but I shall be prepared in the event of the Introduction of the Bill to consult that Department on the subject.