§ 21. Mr. BRADYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to what extent and in what manner the Government will subsidise housing schemes in Ireland; and what progress has been made in the conference between the Dublin Corporation Housing Committee and the Local Government Board as to the preparation of a complete housing scheme for the city of Dublin?
§ Mr. DUKEThe extent of the assistance to be given for housing schemes will, as I understand, be settled for all parts of the United Kingdom on the same lines or on corresponding lines. A very experienced officer of the Local Government Board (Ireland) is in consultation with the Dublin 1539 Corporation housing committee with regard to certain Dublin schemes of housing and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Reconstruction has promised the co-operation of his Department, of which I hope the Irish Executive will be able to avail itself fully.
§ Mr. BRADYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as far back as the commencement of this year, a requisition was addressed to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, signed by the Catholic and Protestant Archbishops, the six members for Dublin City and County, the right hon. Gentleman the senior Member for the University of Dublin, the President of the Trades Council, and the Chairman of the Housing Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, all advocating the holding of a conference to devise a plan for the final settlement of this question, and whether, in view of that, showing, as it does, that all parties are united on this question in Ireland, he will do what lies in his power to announce as soon as possible what the Government are prepared to do in this matter in the shape of a definite Grant; and whether, also, he will do what lies in his power—I know that he is doing it, but I want him further to do what lies in his power—to expedite the inquiry referred to in the question?
§ Mr. DUKEI will take advantage of the confession which my hon. Friend has made. He knows quite well that I am doing what I can.
§ Mr. BRADYI do not want to press the matter, but I want to emphasise, in view of the universal desire to settle the matter finally, which is not confined to any section of political belief in Ireland, the request that he will continue his efforts to bring this matter to a final settlement at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. FIELDCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he hopes to be able to deal with this question, which has been under discussion for the last twenty years?
§ Mr. JOYCEMay I ask whether, when money is allocated for housing purposes in 1540 Ireland, local authorities desiring to avail themselves of the opportunity of getting this money will be allowed to hold the money if the material is so dear that they cannot begin building operations at the present time?
§ Mr. DUKEI cannot see that money will be raised and paid out of the Treasury in order to be hoarded somewhere else. Money is raised and paid out of the Treasury for the purpose of being spent as promptly as possible.
§ Mr. SCANLANWould the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that housing schemes will be considered for other cities and towns in Ireland, and especially for Sligo?
§ Mr. DUKEI am familiar with the housing conditions in some of the Irish towns, and they are not as disgraceful as the housing conditions in Dublin, according to my view.