HC Deb 01 July 1897 vol 50 cc870-1
CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will take any steps to give effect to the strong opinion expressed by Irish representatives in favour of the application of a portion of the Exchequer grant in aid of the erection of labourers' cottages in Ireland to the relief of the unions in which cottages were erected prior to 1891?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

This matter was fully discussed in Committee of Supply on the 21st May, and I am afraid I have nothing to add to the statement made by me on that occasion.

MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)

May I. ask, is it in the discretion of the Lord Lieutenant to distribute the money as he thinks fit?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, it must be done in accordance with the Act of Parliament.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Is it not a fact that every Irish representative who took part in the discussion of this question on the Local Government Board vote, strongly urged that the application of the grant should be made retrospective?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have already fully explained that if a change were made it would have to be made by legislation. The whole subject was fully considered last year, and the conclusion arrived at was a deliberate one, and I am unable to alter it.