§ Mr. KEATINGasked whether the Local Government Board has issued a letter addressed to the rural district coun- 1345W cils in Ireland as to the proper method of carrying out the erection of houses under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts by direct labour; and, if so, whether the Chief Secretary will mention the date of issue of such letter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have not issued any circular letter to rural district councils on this subject. A rural district council has occasionally found it necessary to have some of the authorised cottages erected by "direct labour" owing to the difficulty in obtaining contractors for the work at reasonable prices, and to meet such cases the Board thought it well to have regulations drawn up for observance by local authorities and their officers. These regulations were framed in January, 1910, but are only issued from time to time as each case arises.