Mr. KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds has the Local Government Board for Ireland refused to confirm the resolution of the Strabane (No. 2) Rural District Council passed at a meeting held on 1st August last recommending that the rents of labourers' cottages in the district be reduced by 2d. per house per week, although the Board sanctioned a reduction of 3d. per house per week in the case of an adjoining rural district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have not refused to allow the proposed reduction of rents, but have merely pointed out the manner in which the council should proceed if they desire to give it legal effect. Regulations duly made under the Labourers Act of 1906, and confirmed, can only be altered or repealed by subsequent regulations made pursuant to the Public Health Act, 1878, and the council were informed to this effect when by the resolution referred to they purported to reduce rents fixed by regulations confirmed in September, 1910. The council have accordingly decided to adhere to the rents already fixed pending consideration of the question of making new regulations. If the case referred to in the concluding portion of the question is that of Stranorlar Rural District the circumstances are entirely different, as the reduction of 3d. per week was made at the instance of the Board before they confirmed the regulations submitted by the council.