§ Mr. CULLINANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution unanimously adopted 92W at a conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities, held in Belfast on the 27th September, 1916, to the effect that from the statements contained in the papers relative to dwellings for agricultural labourers under the Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Acts, submitted by Mr. Thomas Dawson, town clerk, Tipperary, and Mr. W. J. Heffernan, town surveyor, Tipperary, the conference was of opinion that the matters therein referred to should be investigated by the Irish Government, that prompt measures should be taken to ensure that owners of houses provided under the Act 23 Vic., c. 19, and Acts amending the same, should be compelled to comply with the intentions of the said Acts, and that in cases where it can be proved that excessive rents have been charged in the past owners should now be required to contribute suitably towards the cost of the housing schemes in districts where properties are situated; and whether he will grant the investigation asked for?
§ Mr. DUKEI have inquired into the matters raised in the resolution referred to and have caused a detailed reply to be sent to the Association of Municipal Authorities. The statutory responsibility of the Board of Public Works with regard to labourers' dwellings and other improvements provided under the Land Improvement Acts ceases when they have ascertained that the works have been duly executed.