§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has seen the reply of Earl Carysfort's agent to the deputation from the Kingstown Urban District Council; whether he has received a copy of the resolutions passed at a public meeting held in Glasthule on the 7th April; and whether he can state what measures the Irish Government will take to preserve the people in their homes until better dwellings are provided.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I have read a newspaper report of the proceedings of the Kingstown Urban District Council on 4th April, when the Chairman of the Public Health Committee stated the purport of the reply given by the Earl of Carysfort's agent to the deputation from the council which waited on him. I have also received the resolutions passed by the meeting at Glasthule. I explained to the hon. Member in my Answer to his Question on 22nd March that the Local Government Board have no power to intervene in the matter of the closing of these houses, which is one for the urban council to deal with so far as their powers enable them to do so. I gather from the newspaper report to which I have referred that there is reason to hope that steps will be taken to provide proper housing accommodation for the persons affected.