§ Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the scheme for labourers' cottages passed by the Gorey district council in 1906 has been so long delayed; what stage has it now reached; when it will be proceeded with by the Local Government Board; and if he will state what is the position of the scheme adopted recently for the building of houses for the labourers of Gorey by the Gorey district council, and when it will be proceeded with?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe council made a scheme on the 28th December, 1907, which they lodged with the Board on the 27th March, 1908, and in respect of which an order was made and confirmed on the 24th September, 1908, for the erection of thirty-seven cottages. The carrying into execution of the scheme has been a matter for the council themselves. The council have since made two further schemes (on the 30th August, 1910), one proposing seventy-seven cottages and seventy-six additional allotments, and the other forty-three cottages and thirty-nine additional allotments, the former being lodged with the Board on the 11th March last, and the latter on the 3rd May. Further proceedings, however, regarding these schemes, and a number of schemes from other districts were deferred pending the provision by Parliament of additional funds for the purposes of the Labourers Acts. The cases will now be dealt with as soon as practicable, having due regard to the claims of other districts. The scheme referred to in the concluding part of the question appears to have been made by the council only on the 28th October, and cannot reach the Board for some time.