§ MR. KENDAL O'BRIENTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say why the Local Government Board prevented the Roscrea Rural District Council from putting into operation in the town the provisions of The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, although the people of the town requested the district council to do so; and if he can say what powers rural district councils have under the Act.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have received no application from the Roscrea Rural District Council for carrying out a housing scheme under The Housing of 1632 the Working Classes Act, 1890. Rural district councils can only exercise the powers under Part II. of the Act which relates primarily to the closing and demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation and to the removal of obstructive buildings.