HC Deb 10 February 1902 vol 102 cc861-2
MR. LOUGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the £40,000 from the Exchequer contribution to Ireland available for labourers' cottages has, during the last financial year, been arpropriated and spent upon such cottages; and, if not, how much of it has been so expended; and can he state where the balance is, and what is to be done with it.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

The following payments have been made out of the Exchequer Contribution, in respect of the financial year. 1900–1:—£20,750 2s. 6d. to County Councils, on behalf of Rural Districts, in which cottages have been provided since August, 1891. £4,860 19s. 0d. to the Board of Works in reduction of loans advanced to Rural District Councils, in respect of of cottages. £3,159 6s. 11d. to the six Municipal County Boroughs. The balance, together with any balances remaining after previous distributions, is lying to the credit of the Local Taxation Account for further distribution hereafter, if the money is required for labourers' cottages in districts where the Acts have not yet been put into operation, and if found not to be so required, will be distributable amongst the Counties concerned as Probate Duty Grant.

MR. LOUGH

Is not this money earmarked for labourers' cottages, and can it be applied to any other purpose?

MR. WYNDHAM

The Regulations under which the money is distributed are dated, 1st December, 1899. I will give a copy to the hon. Member, and if he will study it it may do away with the necessity for further Questions.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Do unions in which no cottages are built still continue to receive a share of the grant?

MR. WYNDHAM

That is covered by my reply. The balance is kept for an undetermined period, and if it is found that no application is likely to be made for it for cottage schemes, then it will he applied in some other way.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirabillty of transferring such money to unions while he carried out the Labourers Act?

MR. WYNDHAM

I think all contingencies are met by the existing regulation, but I will consider the point.