§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of houses purchased in Irish urban areas under the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act; the number purchased in each area; the average sum advanced by the local authority; the rate of interest; and the number of cases of I default in payment?
1615W
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of houses purchased is 298, the particulars being as follows:—
Urban Area. Number of houses. Average sum advanced. £ s. d. Belfast … 79 207 16 6 Dublin … 210 227 0 6 Limerick … 2 228 10 0 Bray … 4 128 0 0 Portadown … 2 203 10 0 Strabane … 1 240 0 0 The Local Government Board do not possess information which would enable them to state the rate of interest in each case or the number of cases of default in payment. The Act provides that the interest shall be at such rate as may be agreed upon, not exceeding 10s. above the rate at which the local authority can borrow from the Commissioners of Public Works.