§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the amount advanced by the Irish Board of Works during the year 1910 for the purpose of providing better housing accommodation for the farming population of Ireland; how much was spent directly in erecting new dwellings, and what sum was expended for the improvement or enlargement of old residences; how many applications for loans for these purposes were received, and what number were granted; how many farmers of valuations ranging between £30 and £40, £20 and £30, £10 and £20, and £5 and £10, respectively, applied for building loans; and what is the rate of interest charged and the period allowed for repayment?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe time which would be occupied in ascertaining the information desired by the hon. Member would be so considerable that I regret I cannot reply to any but the last part of the question. Loans are made by the Board of Works under the Land Improvement Act of 10 Vic, and the 31st Section of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881. In both cases the irate of interest is approximately £3 10s. per cent. and repayment is made by an annuity of £6 10s. for twenty-two years. Under the Land Improvement Act loans for buildings may alternatively be repaid in thirty-five years by an annuity of £5 at the option of the borrower.
§ Mr. JOYCEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been 1354W called to the fact that the county boroughs council of Limerick have applied for a loan of £5,135 in order to carry out a first scheme of housing under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1909; whether the plans in connection with this scheme have been forwarded to the Irish Local Government Board for their approval; is he aware that the Irish Local Government Board have approved of a portion of the scheme and have sanctioned a loan of £1,700 for building purposes, and that the remaining portion of the loan, £3,435, will be sanctioned as soon as some-alterations in the plans, suggested by the Local Government Board, are made by the engineer; and whether, this being a voluntary scheme and the greater portion of the ground being the property of the county borough council, the Treasury will at once grant the loan, so that there shall be no unnecessary delay in starting this work in the interests of the health of the people?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am informed by the Board of Works that the application from the Limerick Corporation was only received on Monday last, 6th March. It is being considered without delay.