§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that at the Local Government inquiry held at Nenagh, North Tipperary, on the 15th April, with regard to the guardians' proposed scheme for additional labourers' cottages in Nenagh Union, the application for four labourers, namely J. Duff, J. Creamer, J. Starr, and J. McCarthy, from the districts of Portroe and Castletown, were refused on the ground that they were working at the slate quarries; and seeing that the evidence of the district councillors for the divisions showed that 973 these men were bonâ fide labourers, inasmuch as they worked for the neighbouring farmers during the harvest season, being obliged to work in the quarries during other slack times, and that they were at present living in hovels, whether he will take steps to have these men and their families provided with proper houses and the plots of land under the Act.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe result of the inquiry in connection with this scheme is about to be communicated by the Local Government Board to the District Council. The applications of the four men named are disallowed on grounds other than that alleged in the Question. These grounds will be set out in the Board's communication to the Council, and I would ask the hon. Member to defer any further question until the communication has been made.
§ MR. P. J. O'BRIENThis inquiry was held more than two months ago.