§ MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board inspector has power, when making his inquiry as to the applicants for labourers' cottages, to allow applicants for cottages that the guardians rejected for personal motives to be included in the scheme; and, if the inspector has no power to amend the scheme as he thinks proper, will he take steps for the amendment of the Act so as to give
†See page 341.702 the inspector power to do justice to the labourers.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board's inspector has power to take action in any case in which the rural district council may have neglected to consider a representation for a labourer's cottage, but it would be entirely contrary to the recognised principle of local responsibility in these matters that the inspector should be given power to override the decision of the council in a case to which they have given full consideration.