The British Government during the European War made certain pledges to the members of the British armed forces in regard to the provision of housing and of land, and so far as Ireland was concerned they passed an Act entitled "The Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act," in 1919. Under that Act a certain number of houses were erected and a special department of the Local Government Board carried on the work of acquiring land and erecting houses.
A considerable number of houses in various parts of the country has been erected. Now, with the Treaty, and with the establishment of the Free State, of course, new circumstances arise. The Irish Free State Consequential Provisions Act of 1922, of the British Parliament, provided for the setting up of a Trust — the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust. The British Government agreed to provide £1,500,000 for financing the operations of the Trust, provided both the Government of Northern Ireland, as it is called, and the Parliament of the Free State, passed legislation enabling the Trust to hold land and to function. One member of the Trust will be appointed by the Government of the Free State; another member of the Trust will be appointed by the Northern Government. I understand legislation enabling the Trust to operate is going through the Northern Parliament. The houses built will be provided entirely out of the British Exchequer. No cost whatever will fall upon the Free State. The proportion is not fixed, but we will certainly get from 1,600 to 2,000 houses, or more, because of the operation of this Trust. I move for leave to bring in the Bill. The Bill is simply enabling the Trust to act as a Statutory Body and hold lands and carry on its functions. It will not have any power of acquiring lands compulsorily.
