§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the number of applications received for advances under the Small Dwellings Act, 1899, has fallen short of what was anticipated in consequence of the lack of knowledge of the working classes of the provisions of the Act relating to the issue by the local authorities of loans up to four-fifths of the amount of the purchase money of a house, to the rate of interest on the sum advanced, and to the term of repayments; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of causing notices to be exhibited at the post offices throughout the country, setting forth the main provisions of the Act, for the benefit of the working classes generally and of Savings Bank depositors in particular.
THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GRANT LAWSON,) Yorkshire, N.R., ThirskPerhaps I may be allowed to answer this. My right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board will carefully consider the suggestion made by the hon. Member, and will communicate with the Postmaster-General on the subject.