HC Deb 07 August 1918 vol 109 cc1360-2
Mr. BRADY (by Private Notice)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made yesterday by the President of the Local Government Board on the housing question to a deputation of British Members of Parliament, and whether he is now in a position to publish the Cowan Report and generally to state his policy regarding Irish housing?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)

I regret that I have not been able to get more information, but, in reply to the question, I may say the Report is going to be submitted to the Dublin Corporation, and until they have received it and considered it, I do not propose to show it to anyone else; but I can assure the hon. Member that is one of the subjects I intend to go into thoroughly during the Recess.

Sir E. CARSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman also submit it to the Belfast Corporation?

Mr. SHORTT

It deals with Dublin.

Mr. JOYCE

Why not submit it to all the corporations in Ireland—there are just as important places?

Mr. SHORTT

The Report deals only with the question of Dublin.

Mr. FIELD

Why should not the citizens of Dublin be furnished with a copy of the Report as well as the corporation?

Captain SHEEHAN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can state whether the whole question of re-housing in Ireland after the War is going to be taken into consideration? I have been pressing this question for six months.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must confine himself to putting a question.

Captain SHEEHAN

This is the last, opportunity we have.

Mr. SPEAKER

This is not the opportunity for speaking, only for interrogating.

Captain SHEEHAN

What I want to know is this. When is the whole question of housing to be dealt with? It has been considered in England. Is Ireland going to be dealt with?

Mr. SHORTT

That is what I have said. I am going to consider the whole question during the Recess.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not going to be left to the Home Rule Parliament?

Mr. SHORTT

I hope so.