§ MR. HAVILAND BURKE (King's County, Tullamore)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Tullamore Urban Council, in King's County, having applied for a loan for the erection of labourers' houses, has been called upon by the Local Government Board to adopt a new sewerage scheme which would involve a heavy charge upon the ratepayers; will he say whether such a sewerage scheme and consequent rate 607 is to be made a condition upon satisfying the local want of better housing for labourers; whether he is aware that the amount of irrecoverable arrears of rates, due by tenants on slum properties in Tullamore, is increasing; and whether the Irish Local Government Board will consider the merits of the proposed loan for labourers' houses apart from any general sewerage question, the average health of Tullamore being good.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) In 1900 the Local Government Board had before them a petition from the Tullamore Urban District Council for a Provisional Order to enable them to carry out a scheme under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, involving an expenditure of £6,500; but, inasmuch as the unexhausted borrowing powers of the council would not enable them to defray the cost of such a scheme, the Board were unable to make the requisite Provisional Order. In December, 1901, the Board approved of a loan of £2,250 for the erection of twelve, houses. This loan was sanctioned on the understanding that a margin of borrowing power was to be rendered available for the purpose of improving the sewerage of the district, which was in an unsatisfactory and defective condition. Before considering the application which has been made for a further loan, the Board have asked the council to ascertain definitely what expenditure is necessary for sewerage purposes.