§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the Newtownards Rural Council on the 11th instant, when representations for labourers' cottages were considered; whether he is aware that it was stated at the meeting that some houses in the district were unfit for habitation, and were allowed to be occupied because there was no other accommodation; that one case was instanced of a labourer with twelve of a family living in a house with only two small apartments because he could not get another house; and that the case of Comber was instanced as one in which the sanitary officer would be prepared to condemn more than a dozen houses if other and suitable houses were available; whether he is aware that the chairman stated that farmers in his district were living in houses not as good as the labourers' cottages for which they paid rates; and that the council decided by 11 votes to 6 to defer the consideration of the labourers' representations for six months; and whether the Local Government Board proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts stated having been brought under the notice of the Local Government Board, they have asked the rural district council to inform them of the reasons for postponing consideration of the representations for six months. The Board at the same time intimated their opinion that the council should forthwith refer any representations based on the alleged unfitness of existing dwellings for human habitation to the sanitary officers for inspection of the premises and reports as required by the Acts. On the other hand, it is right to observe that the council have already provided 132 labourers' cottages, and that they are at present engaged in carrying into effect another scheme under which they have been authorised to provide 207 additional cottages.