§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary whether he could state the date upon which he will bring in his Bill to provide additional money for the building of labourers' cottages in Ireland; whether he was aware that several rural district councils have started to make schemes on the strength of his promise to the House of Commons; and whether, in view of this and in order to enable the councils to complete their schemes next summer, so that the houses may be available for occupation by the labourers before next winter, he will advise the Local Government Board to arrange to hold the local inquiries immediately?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLAs regards the first paragraph of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Cork on the 8th instant. It is a fact that several rural district councils are formulating improvement schemes, but the Local Government Board consider that, pending the passage of the proposed legislation, it is inexpedient to hold inquiries at present into the schemes which have been forwarded to them.