§ MR. GILHOOLYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inquiry in connection, with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts was held at Castletown Bere on 9th April last; whether a scheme for the erection of labourers cottages has been passed; and, if not, can he state what provision is to be made for housing the labourers in the Castletown Bere union.
§ MR. BIRRELLAn inquiry was held on the date mentioned into the refusal of the Castletown Bere Rural District Council to make a scheme under the Labourers Acts. Nearly all the applicants for cottages and allotments were found to be persons living in the town of Castletown Bere. With one or two exceptions they were not employed in agricultural work, while outside 886 the town there is practically no labouring class as distinguished from occupiers of small holdings. The rural district council have offered to supply cottages without allotments and the Local Government Board have reason to believe that, in the exceptional circumstances of Castletown Bere, this would be considered sufficient by the majority of the applicants. The Board will shortly communicate with the district council on the subject.
§ MR. GILHOOLYIs it not necessary that a man should work in agriculture in order to be qualified as an agricultural labourer and get a cottage?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe object is to provide cottages for agricultural labourers.
§ MR. GILHOOLYAnd if the guardians fail to carry out their duty in this respect, will the Local Government Board send down inspectors?
§ MR. BIRRELLThey are in communication on the subject.