HC Deb 27 February 1902 vol 103 cc1301-3
MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork County, N.E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain the delay on the part of the Local Government Board in sanctioning an application from the Town Commissioners of Mallow for a loan to carry out a scheme for artisans' dwellings, concerning which the chief engineering inspector of the Board has held an inquiry approving of the same; if his attention has been directed to the fact that a petition of ratepayers against the scheme contains mis-statement of rating and signatures of non-ratepayers, of which the Local Government Board have been made aware; whether the Local Government Board will consider the desirability of sending down a medical inspector to report upon recent cases of scarlatina and typhoid fever originating in certain portions of the town; and, in view of the necessity for providing sanitary dwellings for artisans in Mallow, will the Local Government Board withdraw their order postponing the scheme of the Town Commissioners.

MR. WYNDHAM

The Board is of opinion that the further consideration of this important scheme should be deferred for the present, so that in the event of the confirmation of the order constituting Mallow an Urban District, the new Urban District Council, who will be charged with the administration of the town, may have an opportunity of giving ail opinion upon it. Representations have been made to the effect alleged in the second paragraph. In reply to the third paragraph, it appears to the Board that all due precautions are being taken by the Local Authorities to prevent these diseases spreading, and it is not considered necessary, at present, to send down a medical inspector to report specially in the matter.

MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the recent election on 15th January, a decisive opinion was given by the electors on this very question of the erection of the cottages? Why, then, is it necessary for the Local Government Board to await the creation of the new authority to carry out this desirable scheme?

MR. WYNDHAM

The Local Government Board is not hostile to the scheme, but when a new authority is coming into existence it is usual to leave such schemes to it.

MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Provisional Order confirming the scheme is pushed forward as speedily as possible?

MR. WYNDHAM

I should not like to embark on any pledge without knowing more of the matter. I will do the best I can.