HC Deb 17 August 1911 vol 29 cc2221-2W
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the total number of labourers cottages erected in county Meath since the passing of the first Labourers Act to the present time, and also the total amount expended for acquisition of sites and plots and other incidental expenses; and whether he will state the number to be erected under pending schemes, and the probable outlay?

Mr. BIRRELL

On the 31st March last, the latest date up to which Returns are available, there were 2,077 cottages built, and 247 in course of construction in county Meath. The total amount of loans sanctioned was £442,721, of which £404,027 had so far been issued. On the same date new schemes were being made in four of the eight rural districts comprised in the county, proposing to provide 535 additional cottages, at an estimated cost of £106,000.

Mr. LUNDON

asked whether the borrowing powers of the Kilmallock Rural District Council have been exhausted; what rate per pound has this body levied on the rural district under the Irish Labourers Acts; how many cottages have been built by them; and how many are in the course of construction?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to the Return as to Labourers' Cottages (Ireland), presented to Parliament on 14th June last (No. 192), which gives the information required up to the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Ban-bridge, county Down, Rural District Council are seeking to raise the rents of labourers' cottages, under the first scheme from 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d., under the second scheme from 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d., under the third scheme from 1s. to 1s. 3d.; whether he is aware that the original rents have obtained for seven years without injustice to the ratepayers; and whether, as wages have not increased, the Local Government Board will order a local inquiry to be held before the proposed increases are approved of?

Mr. BIRRELL

The figures given as to the present rents and proposed increases are correctly stated. The Local Government Board have been in correspondence with the rural district council as to the reasonableness of the rents, and the matter is still under consideration.