§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can state what progress has been made in each of the electoral divisions of the Stranorlar and Strabane Unions, within the county of Donegal, in the erection of the labourers' cottages already sanctioned; and, what is the cause of the delay which has taken place?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURA Provisional Order of the Local Government Board, authorising the erection of three cottages in the Convoy electoral division of the Stranorlar Union, was confirmed by the Privy Council in January last. Arbitration proceedings are now pending, and until the arbitrator makes his award possession of the lands cannot be taken. In the Strabane Union the erection of 20 cottages has been authorised by two Provisional Orders in the electoral divisions of Urney East, Urney West, Feddyglass, and Cloghard. One of these Orders is not yet absolute, so that no steps can at present be taken to build the cottages authorised by it, and as regards the other Order, it appears that the title of the persons interested in the lands is now being investigated with a view to the payment of compensation and the acceptance of tenders for the erection of the cottages.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWhat period has elapsed since the confirmation of the Order to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am not able to inform the hon. Member as to the period that has elapsed. I shall be obliged to make further inquiry to satisfy him on that point.