§ Mr. DONNELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the proprietors of rural linen factories and mills in Ireland own a large number of their workers' dwellings; whether he is aware that in a great many cases the dwellings are totally insufficient for the needs of the workers and in bad repair; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to having proper housing accommodation provided for these workers?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no information as to the first part of the question. Under the proposed housing legislation, the duty will rest upon the local authority in each case to consider what additional housing accommodation is required for the working classes in their area, and to prepare a scheme or schemes to meet the ascertained needs, and there are existing powers vested in the local sanitary authorities to deal with questions of insanitary housing.