§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention had been called to the inadequacy of the kitchen accommodation in the cottages erected 478 under the Labourers Acts in Ireland; and whether he would have inquiries made into the matter, with a view to the provision of more ample kitchen space in cottages to be erected in future.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have given the whole question of the plans of labourers' cottages very full consideration in connection with the Act passed in 1906, and have issued model plans and a Memorandum on the subject to all rural district councils in Ireland. These provide that the kitchen or living room should contain from 1,200 to 1,400 cubic feet, preferably the latter. There has been no general complaint of the inadequacy of the kitchen accommodation provided in cottages already built.