§ MR. SHEEHANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Macroom rural district council recently promoted a scheme for providing additional half-acre plots to many of the Cottages already built in the union; in what position does this scheme at present stand; has the award of the arbitrator yet been made; and, seeing the urgency which exists for giving these plots to the labourers so that they may have them prepared for planting in the coining spring, will he direct the Local Govern- 858 ment Board to expedite the matter in every way possible.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The arbitrator's award in respect to the lands included in the scheme in question, which embraces 256 additional half-acres, was made on 4th June, and on 18th June notification was received from the Commissioners of Public Works that the requisite loan in the matter had been sanctioned by the Treasury. There is no reason why the plots should not be available for planting in the coming spring. The matter now rests entirely with the rural district council, but if the Local Government Board should be in a position to expedite the matter they will do so.