This is a short Bill which extends for another year the powers of acquiring premises conferred upon the Commissioners for Public Works for the purpose of housing the Civic Guard. Under the Principal Act of 1923, on requisition by the Minister for Justice, the Commissioners were entitled to take over premises for the purpose of housing the Civic Guard. As a matter of fact, the powers were only exercised in 85 cases. In forty of these, the premises have since been vacated by the Civic Guard, leaving forty-five still occupied. In thirty-eight of these forty-five cases. the Commissioners have succeeded in arranging terms of tenancy amicably. In six cases they were compelled to fix rents under their powers. In the remaining cases negotiations towards agreement are still proceeding. Though the work of housing the Civic Guard is going on fairly fast, there are still something like 200 stations where the premises are unsuitable for permanent occupation, and I am advised by the Commissioners that it is desirable that the powers should be retained for another year.
CIVIC GUARD (ACQUISITION OF PREMISES) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1928—SECOND STAGE.
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Wednesday, May 16th.