§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to simplicity of accounts and equality of burden, the Treasury can see its way to have all the debts of district councils in Ireland in respect of labourers' cottages and plots consolidated and made payable uniformly at land purchase rates, in accordance with an implied promise given three years ago?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo promise has been given, nor has it ever been implied that loans for labourers' cottages issued prior to the Labourers Act, 1906, should be made payable at the rates, which are land purchase rates fixed by that Act. The premises regards the consolidation of such loans has been carried out by Section 6 of the Public Works Loan Act, 1907, and a large number of local authorities have taken advantage of the occasion, the periods of 1,065 loans having been extended.