§ SIR WALTER NUGENT (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to exceptional local circumstances, no labourers' cottages have been built in some parts of Athlone (No. 1) Rural District, no tenders have been received for the erection of cottages long ago sited, and the labourers still live in houses some of which were condemned by local authorities 20 months ago; and whether, in view of these facts, he will advise the Local Government Board for Ireland to authorise the above-mentioned district council to increase the limit of £130, now allowed for the erection of labourers' cottages, by amounts not in any case exceeding £10 where, in the opinion of 1413 the council, such increases are absolutely necessary.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board are not aware of exceptional local circumstances in this case. The loan sanctioned is at the rate of £175 per cottage or £5 above the usual average. The Board are not prepared to authorise any supplemental loan, and think that the rural district council should by due economy be able to carry out the scheme within the limit of £175 per cottage. Should no reasonable tenders be received, it is open to the council to consider the propriety of carrying out some of the works themselves.