For the satisfaction of Deputy MacEntee may I inform him that I am now introducing the Town Tenants Bill?
Town Tenants Bill, 1930—First Stage.
Is the Minister aware that the Traffic Bill was introduced this time last year?
I beg leave of the House to introduce the measure.
May I ask the Minister what means he is going to adopt to obviate the situation which will arise on the 31st December when the Rent Restrictions Act comes to an end?
The Deputy is singularly misinformed. The Rent Restrictions Act is included in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill and does not expire on 31st December.
I think we ought to make an order giving leave to introduce the Bill, and we can then take the other questions.
Leave given to introduce the Bill.
I desire the Second Stage on February 19th.
When does the Minister propose to circulate the Bill?
I hope to have the Bill circulated in the middle of January. That will give Deputies ample time to consider it before the Second Reading takes place. Of course it is a complicated measure and I recognise that Deputies will require pretty considerable time to study its provisions.
Would the Minister explain the amusement of the Minister for Finance at the statement that he proposed to circulate the Bill in the middle of January?
The Minister said on the 24th October, 1929, that he was going to introduce this Bill before Christmas of last year.
I have it in the Official Report. On the 24th October, 1929, in reply to a question, the Minister said: "The Bill is not yet ready, but I hope to introduce it before the Christmas recess." The same thing happened on the 16th December. On the 19th February, 1930, he made a similar statement. The Minister for Industry and Commerce on the same day stated that it would be introduced that session, and certainly before the 30th June. In view of those statements we would like to have some definite promise from the Minister as to when the Bill will be circulated. Let him fix some definite date, and not merely tell us that he "hopes."
In view of the fact that local authorities have a certain amount of hesitancy in embarking on building schemes, having regard to the promises made by the Minister for Local Government about a Housing Bill, I wonder if the Minister would now state when that Bill will be forthcoming.
Is it in order to fix a date for the Second Reading of a Bill when the Minister cannot give a definite promise that it will be circulated before that date?
It will be circulated in ample time to enable Deputies to consider it before Second Reading.
The Minister for Local Government gave the same promise last year in regard to the Traffic Bill.
There was a Land Bill to be introduced by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands and Fisheries. What is wrong?
Second Stage ordered for February 19th.