§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the number, average cost of erection, and average rent of the labourers' cottages erected under the Labourers Acts in each of the counties and provinces of Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Hon. Member will probably find all the information which he requires in the Returns with respect to labourers' cottages in Ireland, which were ordered on 28th April last, and are now being prepared by the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked whether labourers' cottages erected under the Labourers Acts in Ireland are valued for rating purposes by the Valuation Office; how many of these cottages have been so valued, and what is the average valuation; and whether there is any power vested in the local authorities to exempt these cottages from rating or to grant a remission of the local rates to the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCottages erected under the Labourers Act are valued by the Valuation Office, but it would take considerable time and labour to ascertain the number of cottages so valued and their average valuation. Local authorities have no power to exempt the cottages and plots 655W from rating, or to grant a remission of the rates levied thereon to the tenants. Since the passing of the Local Government Act, 1898, the rates have been payable by the tenants, but Section 54 (c) of the Act provides for an adjustment of the rents previously charged for cottages then let, having regard to the increased burden thus thrown on the tenants, and the weekly or monthly rents were consequently reduced by a sum estimated to cover the additional liability. In the cases of all cottages since provided, the rents have been fixed by the local authorities after taking into consideration the fact that rates would be payable by tenants in addition to rents.