§ 20. Mr. SHEEHANasked how many inquiries into improvement schemes under the Labourers Acts have been held by inspectors of the Local Government Board since 31st December, 1912, the number of cottages involved, and the rural districts affected; whether there are over forty schemes of cottages at present waiting inquiry; and what are the intentions of the Local Government Board in respect of them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThirteen inquiries have been held since the 31st December, 1912, embracing 1,258 cottages and 109 allotments. In addition, five other inquiries have been ordered but not yet held, involving 363 cottages and fifty-four allotments. Eighteen rural districts in all are affected. There are thirty-nine schemes at present awaiting inquiry proposing to provide 4,994 cottages and 457 plots. The Local Government Board propose to deal with these schemes on the same principle which they have followed since the passing of the Act of 1911, and which has already been fully explained to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SHEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that several of these schemes have been awaiting inquiry for over two years, and cannot steps be taken—really this is a serious matter for four thousand odd labourers!—to provide these people with cottages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWe are pressing the matter forward as fast as ever we can.
§ Mr. SHEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are at present no funds under the Acts of 1906 and 1911 to provide these cottages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot produce the money out of my own pocket. I can only spend the money which Parliament has authorised to proceed with these schemes. I cannot promise new schemes.
§ Mr. SHEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a matter of the most extreme urgency that money should be provided?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCertainly.
§ 21. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any scheme for providing additional half-acre allotments for the tenants of labourers' cottages in the Macroom rural district has been promoted since the Labourers Act of 1906 was passed; when were representations for these additional allotments last received and what action was taken; can he state the number of tenants in the district who possess only half-acre allotments with their cottages; and what steps it is proposed to take to put them on an equal footing with all the other labourers who have got an acre attached?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA scheme was submitted by this district council in December, 1907, involving the erection of 382 cottages and also ninety-three additional half-acres for cottages previously built. None of the latter were authorised by the inspector who held the inquiry, as it was felt that the requirements of the labourers in regard to proper housing should take precedence over the proposed enlargement of labourers' plots. The Local Government Board have no information with regard to the second paragraph of the question. On the 31st March last there were 132 cottages with plots not exceeding half a statute acre in this rural district. The making of a new scheme to provide additional half-acres in these cases rests with the district council in the first instance.