§ 37. Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will use his influence with the Treasury to obtain a further loan of £1,000,000 for the purposes of the Labourers (Ireland) Acts so that existing schemes may be finally dealt with?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I should be very glad to see the useful work which is going on under the Labourers Acts carried still further, but I am not now in a position to promise further loans on special terms for the purpose.
§ Mr. JOYCEIs the Chief Secretary aware of the fact that a number of district councils in the South of Ireland have had schemes prepared for the further building of labourers' cottages, and that these schemes have had to be hung up owing to the want of further money?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, that is the fact. The extra million which was obtained at short while ago, and which was thought to be sufficient, has not been sufficient to meet all the extra applications.
§ Sir T. ESMONDEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCertainly; I am always ready to consider any question of the kind.
§ Mr. JOYCEIs not the loan paid back punctually? We are only asking for a loan; we are not asking for a Grant.
§ Mr. BIRRELLYou are asking for a loan on special terms.