§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Ballymena (county Antrim) Urban Council to grant the use of the Town Hall for political meetings, although the local rural council and a strong body of local opinion is in favour of it; whether he is aware that there is no other suitable public building for the holding of such meetings in the district; and whether the Local Government Board will take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that the urban district council passed a resolution to the effect that the town hall should not be let for political purposes. The rural district council have protested, but the Local Government Board are not aware whether there is any strong body of local opinion in favour of the views of the rural district council. The Board have no information regarding the accommodation for public meetings in the district and have no power to intervene in the matter.