§ MR. MACVEAGHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been called to the failure of the Aghalee Rural District Council, county Antrim, to provide cottages under the Labourers Acts; whether they are aware that some of the applications have been before the council for four years, and that their present landlords will not repair the straw roofs of the labourers' cottages; and whether, having regard to the fact that the council have provided for only twenty cottages in the five parishes within its area, and that sites for the proposed cottages can be had voluntarily, he will give directions to have officers appointed to discharge the duties which this council fails to perform.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local Government Board have received a few individual complaints, but no general memorial or complaint in respect of default on the part of the Aghalee District Council in providing labourers' cottages. The Board are not aware, and do not think it likely, that some applications have been before the council for four years, seeing that the council's last scheme was made in 1904. The Board have no information as to whether landlords have refused to repair cottages. Twenty-one cottages have been built in this district, which is the smallest in Ireland, and the council had agreed to provide twenty-three more, but suspended further operations pending the passing of the recent 1537 Act. They are now acting in accordance with rules issued by the Board by inviting representations from labourers, and, until it is proved that they are unwilling to carry the Acts into practical effect, it would be premature to consider the appointment of an officer for the purpose. The hon. Member may rest assured that the Board will act up to the spirit of the Act recently passed.