§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that the prevalence of consumption in the cities and towns in Ireland is due chiefly to the want of proper housing accommodation for the working classes there, and having regard to the fact that the owners of the slum property in these cities and towns will do nothing to improve its insanitary condition, and that the local authorities hesitate to pull down the insanitary dwellings when they cannot raise money to build artizans' dwellings owing to the high rate of interest charged for it, he will take steps to inquire into the matter with the view to legislation next year in reference thereto.
§ MR. CHERRYMy right hon. friend the Chief Secretary is not in a position to add anything to the reply which he gave to the hon. Member's Questions on this subject on the 3rd inst.‡ My right hon. friend stated that the question of
† See (4) Debates, clxxvii., 711–2.‡ See (4) Debates, clxxvii., 711.1617 undertaking legislation would be considered, but that he could make no promise as to the introduction of such legislation.