§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the dull uniformity of the labourers' cottages erected in Ireland under the Labourers Acts; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of endeavouring to introduce a little variety into these cottages by placing more artistic, but not more expensive, designs before the local authorities?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe question of the artistic design of labourers' cottages was carefully considered by the Local Government Board before the model plans were circulated to the local authorities. Eleven different plans, any of which can be adopted by rural district councils in building cottages, have been published, and the Board are always willing to consider the propriety of sanctioning any other suitable plan which may be submitted by a rural district council. Of course, in such cases the paramount consideration is to give as much accommodation as possible to the labourer for the money available.