§ 12. Major O'NEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Broughshane, Co. Antrim, part of the Comrades of the Great War have applied for grants of land under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, for certain ex-service men; whether the Local Government Board have replied that the grants cannot be given; whether there is suitable land available in the vicinity; and what steps it is proposed to take to furnish the applicants with land under the Act?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Local Government Board are advised that they are not authorised by the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, to provide allotments for men who served in the War where the necessity for a cottage does not exist. The Secretary to the Comrades of the Great War, Broughshane, was informed that the Board had no power to entertain the application, attention being at the same time directed to the powers of the Estates Commissioners under the Act, to provide small holdings for men who served in the War.
§ Major O'NEILLDoes the statement made on the Second Reading of the Act, namely, that there was sufficient land for all ex-service men who applied for it, still hold good?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCertainly it does. I understand the point is whether the Local Government Board has power to provide the land. The Local Government 581 Board provides houses. The Estates Commissioners are the body to provide the land.