§ Mr. DEVLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he could state how many building inspectors were employed in Belfast, what were their qualifications, and how many of them were practical bricklayers, or had a practical knowledge of bricklaying; whether he had received any report as to buildings in the suburbs of Belfast, within the boundaries of the city area, having been condemned recently after erection, and who was responsible for the inspection in this case; whether he was aware that, in February last, a deputation from the Belfast Bricklayers' Society waited on the improvement committee of the Corporation to urge the carrying out of existing by-laws; whether any action had been taken by the Corporation in regard to the representations made by that deputation; and whether, in view of the housing scheme being promoted by the corporation, and of the number of new buildings in course of erection in Belfast, he would take steps to ensure that the requirements of the Board of Trade in regard to proper inspection by practical workmen were fully met?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The details of administration to which it relates are not within the control of any Government Department, but rest entirely in the hands of the Belfast Corporation.