HC Deb 15 May 1896 vol 40 cc1438-9
MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, is he aware that a representation for the erection of a cottage, under the Labourers' Cottages (Ireland) Act, duly signed by thirteen ratepayers, was forwarded to the Monaghan Board of Guardians by a labourer, named Owen M'Manus, and that the Board passed a resolution shelving the consideration of the question for twelve months; and, is he aware that M'Manus recently made a fresh representation, duly signed by the requisite number of ratepayers, and that the Guardians declined to entertain that fresh representation; and, if so, will he order a Local Government Inquiry to ascertain the validity, or otherwise, of this labourer's claim to a cottage under the Act of Parliament?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have already replied to two Questions relative to this man's application for a cottage. The facts are substantially as stated by the hon. Member, but the case does not appear to be one in which the Local Government Board should hold an Inquiry as suggested.