§ MR. POWER (Waterford, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- 1764 Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the members of the Carrick-on-Suir (No. 2) District Council consider the account furnished to them by the arbitrator for expenses incurred by him in awarding compensation in the cases of acquiring sites unopposed by landlords or occupiers under the Labourers Acts as extravagant, having regard to the work to be done and the fact that the sites to be visited were in a comparatively limited area; whether the arbitrator charged for fifteen and a half days' time exclusive of sustenance allowance, travelling expenses, printing, typing, postage, etc.; and whether local authorities are compelled to pay expenses claimed by Local Government arbitrators or officials if they consider such claims excessive.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The facts are as stated in the Question. The Local Government Board inform me that the amount which the Board, after full consideration of the council's objections, certified as payable by the council, is reasonable, having regard to the work done and is not above the average for a scheme of the size in question. The amount mentioned in the certificate issued by the Board as to the costs, charges, and expenses incurred in the matter is a debt due from the local authority to the Crown in pursuance of Article 28 of the Second Schedule of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.