HC Deb 07 July 1902 vol 110 cc938-9
MR. SHEEHAX

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he will state when the representations for the present scheme of cottages promoted by the Cork Rural District Council were first considered, when the inquiry into the scheme was held, at what date the Provisional Order was issued and became absolute; and will he give the reasons for the delay which has taken' place in connection with this scheme, and state what steps the Local Government Board intend to take to bring the matter to a completion.

MR. WYNDHAM

The representations were first considered by the District Council in December, 1899. The scheme was submitted to the Local Government Board in April, 1900. It proposed the erection of 459 cottages at a cost of £82,800. The local inquiry was held in July, 1900. After a protracted correspondence the Provisional Order was issued in August, 1901; the unopposed portion of the Order became absolute in October last. The District Council has not yet lodged with the Board the maps and schedules. Until that is done an arbitrator cannot be appointed as a preliminary step to entering upon the lands required to carry the scheme into execution.

MR. SHEEHAN

Having regard to the circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman introduce into his amending Bill a clause for simplifying the procedure for the erection of these cottages?

MR. WYNDHAM

The Provisional Order Authorises the erection of 143 cottages; the unopposed portion of the Order contains 133 sites, and became absolute, as stated, in October last. There is at present before the Board a scheme proposing the acquisition of 224 additional allotments to cottages already erected. The result of the local inquiry in this matter was communicated to the Council in January last, who have twice since been requested by the Board to arrange several matters arising out of the Inquiry. Until the Council does this, the Board cannot issue the Provisional Order regarding the proposed allotments.