§ CAPTAIN DONELANOn behalf of the hon. Member for North Leitrim (Mr. PATRICK A. M'HUGH) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if he is aware that a labourer named Thomas Davis, of Cullinagh, Crusheen, county Clare, applied to the Ennis Board of Guardians in November last for a labourer's cottage, and that that Board has since then taken no action in the matter; also that Davis, his wife, and two children, inhabit a one room dwelling in which there is neither window or chimney; and (2) will he direct an inquiry to be made into this case, and insist on the Ennis Board of Guardians giving effect to the provisions of the Labourers' Cottages (Ireland) Acts, if it is found that they have failed in the discharge of their duty?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe answer to the first paragraph is in, the affirmative. The labourer in question brought this mutter under the notice of the Local Government Board in January last, and the Board were informed by the Guardians that the application would be considered by them in connection with their next scheme for cottages. No new scheme has yet been submitted, and it is not 747 considered necessary to hold an Inquiry, as suggested. 139 cottages have already been authorised to be provided in this Union.