§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tourist traffic to Lame, County Antrim, is suffering from want of advertising, and that the Lame Urban Council complain that they have no power to spend any money in this way; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Irish Local Government Act to enable local authorities like Lame to use a small portion of the funds which they administer for this purpose, as is done by some local authorities in Great Britain.
§ MR. BIRRELLI think it would be desirable to give power to local authorities of places such as Lame to expend a reasonable amount on advertisements of the nature indicated, and I understand that such a provision would be welcomed by the people of seaside places in Ireland generally. A clause on the subject might be inserted in the Local Government (Ireland) Bill at present before the House, assuming that the progress of the Bill would not be thereby endangered. I should be glad to discuss the terms of such a clause with the hon. Member.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman himself propose the necessary clause?
§ MR. BIRRELLYes, if an agreement can be come to.