§ MR. MCFADDEN (Donegal, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the 1079 cause of delay in proceeding with the completion of Scheme I., for the erection of seventeen labourers' cottages in the Strabane (No. 2) Rural District; whether the scheme was formulated by the council six years ago; and whether the delay in proceeding with the scheme lies with the Local Government Board or the district council; and if steps will be taken by the Local Government Board to expedite the completion of the scheme.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The delay in carrying this scheme into effect rests entirely with the district council and their officers. The Provisional Order was made by the Board in April, 1903, and became absolute on June 2nd, 1903; but the council did not lodge the necessary enlarged maps, etc., with a view to the appointment of an arbitrator, until more than twelve months afterwards. The arbitrator was appointed on July 28th, 1904, and his award was made on the 19th September. The council may have considered it undesirable to proceed with building works during the winter season: but otherwise there was nothing to prevent them from doing so, as the loan was sanctioned by the Treasury so far back as November, 1903.