§ MR. CULLINAN (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the county and district councils may forthwith formulate schemes for the employment of direct labour, in anticipation of the Provisional Order which will come into operation in 1st April, 1902; and, if so, whether he will direct the Local Government Board to so advise the several councils.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Provisional Order cannot be acted upon till it is confirmed by Parliament. The Board will circulate the Order as soon as it becomes law, and will advise the councils as to the preliminary steps which may be taken for the purpose of putting the Order in force on the appointed day.
§ MR. CULLINANCannot the councils take the preliminary steps before the 1st April?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThey must wait until Parliament has confirmed the Provisional Order, which I hope will be not many days hence.
§ *MR. SHEEHANWill the Right hon. Gentleman direct or request the Local Government Board for Ireland, when the Provisional Order is confirmed, to intimate to the County and District Councils that they may proceed to formulate schemes for the employment of direct labour.
§ MR. WYNDHAMAs soon as the Order is confirmed the Local Government Board will take action on it.