§ MR. TULLYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state the amount written off by the Belfast Corporation on foot of capital account of gas works during the past ten years over and above the amount of the Sinking Fund authorised by Statute; would the effect of such a reduction be to maintain a higher price for gas; and whether the Local Government Board Auditor for Belfast can state under what exceptional circumstances this reduction of capital has been allowed by him?
§ * MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed by the Town Clerk of Belfast that a sum of £182,695 was written off by the Belfast Corporation on foot of capital account of the gas works during the past ten years, and that the effect of such reduction would be to cheapen production. The Local Government Auditor is of opinion that the application of the profits was in conformity with Clause 59 of the Belfast Corporation Gas Act of 1874.
§ MR. KILBRIDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, what is the amount of loan under the Dwelling House Improvement Fund obtained by the Belfast Corporation, and whether he can state how many dwelling houses were constructed with the money?
§ * MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed by the Town Clerk of Belfast that a loan for £12,000 was obtained in 1879 to carry out an improvement under the Artisans and Labourers' Dwellings Act, and that 100 houses were erected.