§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that five labourers in the Castlebar Union applied about five years ago for labourers' cottages and an acre of land each; that they complied with the regulations required in making such applications, and got the requisitions signed by twelve ratepayers; and that, although the applications were approved by the guardians, no further steps have been taken with regard to the building of the cottages; and could he explain the cause of the delay.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) In 1960 some representations under the Labourers Acts were made to the rural district council, which declined to act on them, and as no petition for a local inquiry was addressed to the Local Government Board, it could take no action in the matter. Further representations have since been submitted to the council, but were declared to be informal. Recently the medical officer of health has been called upon by the council to furnish reports respecting the houses alleged to 968 be unfit for habitation with a view to the council taking the necessary steps to provide cottages.