§ MR. M'GOVERN () Cavan, W.To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Bawnboy Rural District Council has called the attention of the Local Government Board to the character of the award made by the arbitrator and to the compensation payable to the landlords under the Provisional Order obtained by the Council to erect labourers' cottages; and, seeing that the Bawnboy Rural District Council has decided to abandon the erection of the cottages in consequence of the compensation allowed under this award, will he explain why the Local Government Board appointed as arbitrator a local landlord; and will the Local Government Board take any steps to have this award set aside, seeing that the District Council has no right to appeal.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The Council considers the award excessive. It has frequently happened, I am afraid, that the awards of arbitrators do not satisfy both parties concerned. The Council has no power to abandon the erection of the cottages on the ground stated. The professional qualifications of the arbitrator are of the highest character and the Local Government Board does not consider there are any grounds for the objections raised by the Council. The arbitrator is part owner of a townland which yields him a profit rent of £2 5s. a year.