§ Mr. JOYCEasked how much of the loan of four and a half millions set aside for the building of labourers' cottages and the acquiring of plots of land under the Agricultural Labourers (Ireland) Act has been applied for and how much in loans has been granted; how much of this loan still remains; whether the instalments on the loans granted have been paid regularly; and whether any applications have been made which had to be refused owing to the fund having been exhausted?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe amount of loans sanctioned up to this date under the Labourers Act of 1906 is £4,102,371, and the balance £147,629 of the four and a quarter millions provided by Section 16 of the Act will, it is anticipated, scarcely suffice to meet the cost of certain improvement schemes which have already been lodged with the Local Government Board, but have not yet reached the stage at which the amounts of the loans can be definitely determined. I understand that the annuities in repayment of the loans have, as a rule, been paid regularly. New schemes were being proposed in several rural districts, but, since the issue of the Board's Circular in February last, stating that the four and a quarter millions would only finance the schemes then submitted, the councils concerned have suspended further proceedings for the present.
§ Mr. JOYCEalso asked how much money has been applied for by way of loans under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908; in how many cases have loans been granted, and what is the total amount; and whether he will consider the possibility of granting such loans at the same rate of interest as the loans under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a non-oral question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for West Belfast, which was circulated with the Votes on 23rd June last. The rate of interest to be charged on loans under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908, is laid down by Section 14 of that Act.