§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken by the Local Government Board to secure that only Irish materials are used in the erection of cottages sanctioned under the Labourers Act; and, if not, whether a recommendation on the matter would be issued to all local authorities concerned in the erection of such cottages.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have reason to believe that district councils in Ireland are strongly in favour of using none but Irish materials for labourers' cottages whenever such materials may be procurable. The Board do not suppose that any recommendation from them would stimulate the councils further in the matter, which is one wholly within their discretion.