§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked in what proportion the sum of £4,500,000 voted under The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, had been allocated to the different provinces?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe total amount of the advances authorised under Section 16 of the Labourers Act of 1906 is 4¼ millions. No allocation of this amount has been made to the different provinces, and its distribution has depended solely upon the probable cost of authorised schemes, irrespective of the provinces in which they have been promoted. Loans have already been sanctioned as follows: —Ulster, £893,340 10s.; Munster, £1,331,415 10s.; Leinster, £1,404,696; Connaught, £364,019. Total, £3,993,471. The Local Government Board inform me that on a rough estimate, the balance of £256,529 available for pending schemes will probably be distributed as follows:—Ulster, £48,120; Munster, 578 £111,600; Leinster, £82,320; Connaught, £14,489.
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYIf notice be given I will consider it.
Captain CRAIGWhy has Ulster been prejudiced to this extent in connection with these grants, and why was there not equality?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs not the small amount given to Ulster owing to the fact of the local authorities' unwillingness to put the Act in force?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe answer states that the distribution is made entirely irrespective of provinces, and solely with reference to the probable cost of the authorised schemes.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill the hon. and learned Gentleman answer my question whether the small amount given to Ulster was due to the unwillingness of the local authorities to put the Act in force?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would remind the hon. Members that there are 130 questions on the Paper, and I would beg of them to exercise some discretion in asking supplementary questions.