§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention had been called to correspondence which has taken place between Mr. John Pollock, of Belfast, and the Irish Board of Works with regard to the letting of the disused houses at Cultra coastguard station; whether he is aware that the rent asked by the Board of Works is regarded as unduly high, and whether, in point of fact, tenants for any of the houses have been secured at the rent asked; and, if not, whether he will advise the Board of Works that, with a view to securing some return on the capital outlay involved, they should consider the advisability of reducing their demands?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe premises comprising Cultra coastguard station are now in the hands of a house agent for sale, and pending sale could only be let from week to week. Mr. Pollock offered 2s. per week for a house which the Board are advised is worth 3s. 6d. a week, and alternatively 3s. a week for the officer's house, which the Board are advised is worth Vs. 6d. a week. The Board think it better to keep the houses vacant pending sale than to accept insufficient rents.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONHave the Board had any other offer?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThat I cannot say, but it is quite clear this gentleman's offer is insufficient.