HC Deb 18 May 1900 vol 83 cc590-1
CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that difficulty is sometimes experienced by urban councils in Ireland in carrying out schemes for building workmen's houses, securing a water supply, or providing a system of sewerage, owing to the low limit of their borrowing powers; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to extend such borrowing powers when the loan is required for reproductive purposes.

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

This is not a matter upon which I should be prepared to express a definite opinion off hand, but, as at present advised, I should be inclined to doubt the expediency of the course suggested in the question.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Have many cases similar to those mentioned in the question occurred?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

No doubt there has been a certain number, but it is a serious thing to pass a general enactment enlarging borrowing powers.