§ 42. Mr. FFRENCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Irish Board of Works have refused and are refusing to grant new loans from the 1st 792 of this month, as evidenced by a large number of applicants who have been refused loans; if he is aware that the present attitude of the Board of Works is tantamount to shutting down altogether, as the giving of loans to farmers whose dwellings are insanitary or that have been injured by fire or storm would not cover over twenty applications; if he is aware that, if applications are not made immediately, the buildings that are required cannot be erected next summer; whether, in the interest of good economy, the Board of Works will not have improvement and progress checked both in town and country by the refusal of loans, more particularly as it receives in interest and repayments each year more than it advances in loans; and, seeing that a large number of persons are certain to be thrown out of employment by the action of the Board of Works, will he look into the matter with a view to the continuation of the loans?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is, I regret to say, one of the inevitable consequences of war that progress and development must be checked by the necessity of husbanding resources. The Treasury were influenced in their decision by an effort to avoid as long as possible the issue of Local Loans Stock.
§ Sir THOMAS ESMONDEWould it not be possible for the Treasury to give special consideration to those cases where loans were under consideration before War broke out?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI will consider that question.
§ 44. Mr. FIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, in consequence of the recent discontinuance of loans under the Land Act, hitherto issued through the Board of Warks, Ireland, the erection of hay, corn, and cattle sheds, barns, and other farm buildings have been stopped; whether he is aware that those concerned have sent a circular asking every Irish Member of Parliament to co-operate in having the loans continued; and whether, under these circumstances, he will favourably consider the applications?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for South Wexford on the 16th inst. and to the hon. Member for North Wexford on the 19th inst.
§ Mr. FIELDIs it not the fact that the repayments exceed the amount of the Grants? If this is so, why should not the Board of Works go on with the Grants? There is no loss of money; on the contrary, they are making money by the transaction.
No answer was returned.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the hon. Member kindly put his question down?