§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDasked whether, having regard to the deadlock which has arisen owing to the money provided under the Labourers Act of 1906 having been exhausted, and bearing in mind the need for continuing the beneficent operations of that Act, the Government will introduce a short measure dealing with the subject, in view of the fact that all parties in Ireland are united in desiring that the building of necessary labourers' cottages should continue?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt was provided by the Labourers Act of 1906 that £4,250,000 may be advanced on Land Purchase terms for the provision of labourers' cottages and plots. The whole of that amount has either been advanced or earmarked for advance in respect of pending schemes. The number of cottages and plots which will be provided under the Act of 1906 is estimated at about 23,500, and the number provided under previous Acts was 21,50), making the substantial total of 45,000 cottages and plots. Of the 23,500 cottages which are being provided under the Act of 1906, at least three-fourths have not yet been completed, and tenants for these have to be found. It is, however, admitted that a good deal will remain to be done before the provision of accommodation for labourers can be said to be reasonably satisfactory. The Government are favourably disposed to the continuance of the policy of providing labourers' cottages, and the question of reviving the powers of borrowing for that purpose which existed before 1905 has been under consideration. Whether it will be possible to legislate for making further loans on anything approaching Land Purchase terms is a question upon which I can make no statement at the moment, but the Government will give the matter careful consideration, regard being had to the financial situation for the time being.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that on this matter there is no difference at all among the different parties in Ireland, and that if a measure were proposed by the Government, it would be entirely uncontroversial. I think I am justified in saying that.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am very glad to hear it, and it is quite in accordance with my own view. It is the desire of the Government also to meet the demand if it can possibly be done.