§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he observed that 860 representations for labourers' cottages in the Cork Union have been suspended owing to the increased rate of interest now demanded for loans under the Irish Labourers Acts; and whether, having regard to the promise of the late Chief Secretary that when the funds allocated for the purposes of the Labourers Act of 1896 were exhausted further loans on the same terms would be forthcoming, steps will be taken in the present Session to provide for the resumption of operations under the Act?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAccording to the minutes of proceedings of the Cork Rural District Council, 851 representations have been suspended for the reason stated. I have no knowledge of the promise referred to, but I have already dealt fully with the question of future operations under the Labourers Acts in my reply to the question asked by the hon. and learned Member for Waterford on 23rd March, 1910, to which I have nothing at present to add.