HC Deb 24 June 1898 vol 60 cc26-7
MR. SAMUEL YOUNG

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Bailieborough Board of Guardians had erected under contract, superintended by their architect, a labourer's cottage in the townland of Urcher in 1896, which was certified by the inspector of the Local Government Board in March, 1897; whether he is aware that in December, 1897, the guardians received a report from the sanitary inspector that, in consequence of the walls and floors being damp and the building badly erected, it was unfit for habitation; and whether, under these circumstances, the Local Government Board having certified for the cottage, the Government will consider it advisable to order an inquiry into the matter to ascertain by whose fault the present state of things exists?

MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. GERALD BALFOUR)

The cottage in question was erected in 1896 by the Bailieborough guardians under the superintendence of their own architect, and was inspected by one of the Local Government Board's engineering inspectors in March, 1897. The Board's engineering inspectors never give certificates in relation to the completion of such cottages, payment being always made on the certificates of the local architect. The reply to the second paragraph is in the affirmative. The responsibility for the carrying out of works in strict accordance with the approved plan and specification devolves upon the architect employed by the guardians, and not upon the Board's engineering inspector, who obviously could not superintend the erection of labourers' cottages throughout Ireland. The guardians have been informed by the Local Government Board that if they are not satisfied with the action of their architect in this case, they may employ another architect to examine the site and house, and give them a professional report as to what should be done to remedy the defects complained of. The matter is one entirely between the guardians and their architect, and it would be outside the province of the Local Government Board to hold an inquiry as suggested.