HC Deb 19 July 1909 vol 8 cc8-9
Mr. O'DOWD

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the housing of the working classes committee of the corporation of Sligo has applied, through the Board of Works, for a loan for the erection of artizans' cottages in that borough, and the Treasury have notified that body that a loan will not be granted by the Commissioners of Public Works, although the corporation have paid the half-yearly contribution demanded of them; and, if so, will he state the grounds on which this loan has been refused?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)

I am informed that the Sligo Corporation itself applied to the Board of Works in April, 1906, for a loan for the purpose stated. The Board of Works informed the corporation that in view of the habitual unpunctuality of the corporation in the payment of instalments on loans already granted as they fell due they felt some difficulty in recommending the Treasury to sanction the further loan applied for. Since then the corporation has not renewed its application, while it continues to be unpunctual in the payment of instalments. It is not understood to what half-yearly contribution the hon. Member refers in the penultimate line of his question.

Mr. O'DOWD

Am I to infer that the loan will be granted?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No, I have already pointed out that the repayment of existing loans has been unpunctual and that the last recommendation we had from the Board of Works on the subject is that in view of all the facts it will not be prudent or wise to grant the loan.

Mr. O'DOWD

Does the unpunctuality of the corporation affect the matter if the last instalment applied for has been paid?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

It may have been paid, but I am not sure how long it was overdue before it was paid.

Mr. JOYCE

Is it not the case that under the Act of last year no outstanding loans contracted by any corporation or Town Commissioners are to interfere with their borrowing powers?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

That does not seem to arise out of the question. If the hon. Member will put a question down I will give an answer.