§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork Co., Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the Fifth Improvement Scheme under the Labourers Ac s in the Cork Rural District Council, an application was received from Timothy Sexton for a cottage and plot on the farm of Alexander Ferguson in the electoral division of Lehenagh; whether, seeing that this holding over 400 acres in extent contains no labourers' dwellings with plots attached, he will explain why was the application of Timothy Sexton refused; and, seeing that his present abode has been condemned by the Medical Officer of Health, and that he has his parents dependent on him, will the Local Government Board reconsider their decision and sanction this cottage for Sexton.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe application was rejected because no evidence was produced in support of the assertion that the existing house accommodation for labourers in the district was insufficient. Nor was the certificate of a Medical Officer of Health produced to show that the existing house of the applicant was unfit for habitation. The holding of Mr. Ferguson contains four cottages.
§ MR. SHEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inspector gave as his reason for refusing to sanction the scheme that Sexton was an unmarried man?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have given the hon. Member all the information I have received.