§ MR. M'FADDEN (Donegal, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the cause of delay on the part of the contractors in proceeding with the erection of labourers' cottages in the Strabane (No. 2) Rural District, County Donegal, the contract for which has been entered into some three months ago; and if the Local Government Board will direct the District Council to take steps to compel the contractors to proceed to complete their contracts without further delay.
§ (Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) The Clerk of the District Council states that the award of the arbitrator is before the solicitors to the Council, who are investigating the titles of the owners and occupiers of the sites. The Council cannot enter on the lands and instruct the contractors to commence work until the titles have been verified and the amount of the arbitrator's award paid.
§ MR. M'FADDENTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint of the chairman and members of the Strabane (No. 2) Rural District Council, County Donegal, at its last meeting on Tuesday, 5th May, as to the delay of three months on the part of the Local Government Board and the Board of Works in replying to an application of the Council for a loan for the erection of labourers' cottages in the district; and if steps will be taken to expedite the granting of the loan.
§ (Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) No complaint has reached the Local Govern-Board on the subject. In point of fact no formal application has yet been made to the Board for sanction to the loan in respect of the improvement scheme lately authorised.