HC Deb 23 March 1911 vol 23 c593
Mr. FFRENCH

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the dwellings of the working classes in towns in Ireland are in many instances disease traps, and that the New Ross Urban District Council passed a resolution pointing to the necessity of giving a more liberal grant than the income arising out of £180,000 provided for by the Housing Act of 1908 in aid of housing urban working classes; and whether the Government will do anything in the direction indicated?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have seen the resolution referred to. I cannot at present hold out any hope of an extension of the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908. So far as labourers' cottages are concerned the million to be provided under the Bill now before Parliament will be the limit of the borrowing powers of local authorities. There is no such limit under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts.