HC Deb 20 May 1901 vol 94 cc602-3
MR. J. P. FARRELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in October, 1899, the Longford Rural District Council adopted representations for the building of over 100 new labourers' cottages and providing seventy-six labourers with additional half-acre plots; that, after the lapse of a year, an inquiry was held by Captain Connellan, Local Government Board inspector, whose report has only just now been issued; and that of this large number of houses and plots applied for barely one third has been granted; will he state whose fault it is that such is the case; and whether the Local Government Board are prepared to consider, without additional cost to the ratepayers or incurring further legal costs, the advisability of issuing a supplementary order for the erection of thirty-five additional houses and the granting of thirty additional half-acre plots on the evidence already before it.

MR. WYNDHAM

The scheme of the district council was not received by the Local Government Board until the 24th September last. The inquiry was held on the 13th December. The grounds upon which the inspector reported against a number of the applications have been communicated in detail to the district council. If the council considers it can establish a case for the thirty-five additional houses and thirty additional half-acres it can make a new scheme for the purpose. The cost would be inconsiderable. Any other Course would delay the issue of the existing Provisional Order.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost in all these cases is very considerable? Seeing that he has promised—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member cannot argue the question.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

I will put down another.