HC Deb 26 July 1909 vol 8 cc836-7
Mr. O'DOWD

asked whether the Treasury allow a local authority to borrow a loan under the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908, for the erection of artisans' cottages, independent of other outstanding loans which may have been previously contracted by such local authority for other purposes?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)

Loans under the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1908, are by section 2 of the Act not reckoned as part of the debt of the local authority for the purpose of the limitation on borrowing contained in section 238 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878. The Treasury do, however, take into consideration the manner in which previous loans made to the local authority have been or are being repaid, and any other circumstances affecting the security of the loan.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the loan asked for by the Ennis Urban Council for the erection of houses under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908, will be sanctioned; and if he will, in considering the matter, bear in mind the necessity for better houses for the Ennis workmen?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

After giving very careful consideration to all the circumstances of the case, including that mentioned in the last part of the hon. Member's question, I regret that I have not felt able to sanction the grant from the Local Loans Fund of the loan asked for by the Ennis Urban Council, in view of the un-punctuality in the payment by the Council of instalments of its previous loans.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will reconsider the matter in view of the very great necessity there is for better houses for the workpeople; many of their places are really hovels?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The hon. Member knows that on more than one occasion I have gone into the question of loans, and have urged those concerned to expedite the payment of the existing loans. Until they have done that, I cannot consider the question again.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I inquire whether it is this urban authority which is in arrears; whether they owe any instalments, or whether they have been paid up?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Well, even in the case of the last instalment, they were six weeks overdue before the money was paid.