I do not wish to add anything to what I said on the First Reading of this Bill. It is for the purpose of putting into operation the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust, the establishment of which was authorised by a British Act called the Irish Free State Consequential Provisions Act, and for the working of which the British Treasury will provide a sum of one and a half million pounds. The entire work of the Trust will be financed by the British Exchequer. There will be no charge upon this country. It will provide a considerable number of houses, which are very badly wanted. They are wanted for all classes of the community, and it will serve to the extent to which it goes in relieving the housing shortage. There is nothing in the Consequential Provisions Act as to the proportions in which the money will be divided between Saorstát Eireann and the Six Counties. There was a provisional allocation before the passing of the Bill on the basis of 2,626 to the Free State and 1,046 to Northern Ireland. I think the Bill is not one to which any objection could be taken. The power of compulsorily acquiring land is not given to the Trust, but the Minister for Local Government may exercise that power, if he thinks so fit, at the request of the Trust. I beg to move the Second Reading.
LAND TRUST POWERS BILL.— - SECOND STAGE.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I beg to second the motion.
Question: "That the Land Trust Powers Bill be read a Second Time," put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, June 26th.