§ 24. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Chief Secretary what number of houses are estimated to be required by the local authorities in the area of Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, respectively; what is the amount of the loans applied for for housing under the Housing Act, 1919, in these two areas; what amount has been advanced; and what amount is still awaiting the urban councils' assent to the statutory conditions as to audit?
§ Mr. HENRYThe number of houses estimated to be required in the Ulster area is 11,233; and in the remainder of Ireland, 41,800. In the area of Northern Ireland £2,250,065 has been applied for 1275 and of this £705,765 has already been Sanctioned, and the remainder can be sanctioned when required. In Southern Ireland the amount of the loans applied for, up to date, is £2,180,223. Of this, £58,086 has been sanctioned, and the amount held over awaiting the assent of the urban councils to audit is £2,119,859.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERAm I to understand that houses to the value of £2,000,000 will be erected, and that employment to that extent will be given?
§ Mr. HENRYAt any rate, the Local Government Board will be quite willing to advance the sums required for the erection of these houses.