§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of labourers holding union cottages in each of the six unions in Kerry who have been provided with turbary under the provisions of Section 24 of The Labourers Act, 1906; and what unions in Ireland have availed themselves, and to what extent, of the provisions of this section of the Labourers Act?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe records of the Estates Commissioners are not kept by Poor Law Unions, and they are unable to furnish the information asked for in the question.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the delay in proceeding with the erection of labourers' cottages in the Moira rural district, and to the fact that 130 labourers in the district are at present living in houses which have been condemned as insanitary, and what action he proposes to take in this matter; whether he is aware that the rents charged in this district for cottages already erected constitute a hardship on the labourers; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to the reduction of the rent?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to this matter. Ninety-seven out of the 101 cottages authorised under two schemes are being built to replace condemned houses, and no doubt the completion of these cottages will relieve a number of the cases referred to. The council have in contemplation a further 1719W scheme for about 100 cottages. The Local Government Board have requested the council to make reductions in the rents, of the cottages before confirmation of the regulations framed under Section 29 of the Labourers Act, 1906.