§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain the delay on the part of the Local Government 937 Board in sanctioning the loan in connection with the Armagh Rural District Council's No. 1 Labourers Scheme; whether he is aware that the labourers, interested in this scheme are suffering much hardship owing to the want of proper accommodation; and whether he will impress upon the Local Government Board the necessity of dealing with this matter at once, so that the rural district council can proceed with the construction of the cottages.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have sanctioned the loan in this case, and the district council were so informed on the 8th instant. The delay in the case was due to correspondence with the council with a view to a reduction of the loan applied for, which was at the unusually high rate of £228 for each cottage and plot.