§ MR. MCCARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of labourers' cottages within the union of Downpatrick; whether he can state what wag the report of the Local Government Hoard inspector who held an inquiry on the subject in Downpatrick; and if some step will be taken with the view to provide sufficient and proper accommodation for the labourers living within the union?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo cottages have been provided in this union under the Labourers Acts. The inquiry mentioned in the second paragraph was held so far back as January, 1895. It 538 had reference to the question of erecting cottages in one electoral division only in the union, and the inspector felt himself unable to recommend that the guardians should be required to carry out an improvement scheme for this division. If the persons who signed the representations to the guardians apply to the Local Government Hoard for an inquiry, the propriety of acceding to the application will be considered. No steps can be taken in the direction of compelling the guardians to provide cottages except in pursuance of such an application and such an inquiry.