asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether he intends to introduce proposals for legislation to amend the Labourers Acts to permit local authorities to formulate schemes for the purchase outright of labourers' cottages by the tenants without the intervention of terminable annuities and without restriction on the sale of these cottages after purchase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Labourers' Cottages.
Mr. O'Higgins
The introduction of legislation on the lines indicated by the Deputy is not at present contemplated.
Mr. O'Higgins
Is the Minister aware that the prohibition in existing legislation which prevents tenants from purchasing outright has caused, and is causing, considerable dissatistion in the country, and would he not reconsider the reply he has just given?
I do not know to what extent the prohibition referred to is causing dissatisfaction, but I think my memory tells me the reason for the insertion of that prohibition. I am not prepared to admit that the removal of a prohibition of that kind would be a defensible policy.
Mr. O'Higgins
Leaving aside the prohibition on later use, would the Minister consider the question of permitting the tenants to purchase outright?
That is what I am referring to.
If the Minister is considering this matter, would he bear in mind the serious danger that would arise to working-class tenants as a whole if there was no restriction on the sale of labourers' cottages, the danger that these cottages would be bought by the better-off classes and that we would thereby get back to that most detestable evil of the tied house?
As far as I can remember, that was the reason for the insertion of the prohibition, and that reason is as strong to-day, if not stronger, than it was then.
Mr. O'Higgins
That is the prohibition on use after sale. What I am asking the Minister is to consider favourably the right of a tenant, if he wishes, to purchase his cottage outright now.
That would cut the very ground from under the prohibition to which we have been referring.
Mr. O'Higgins
At the moment, a tenant under a scheme that I know of, anyway—I do not know whether there is the same scheme throughout the country or not—is entitled to purchase outright over a period of years, paying the purchase price by a terminable annuity, and eventually becoming the owner, but subject to the prohibition mentioned by Deputy Norton. Now, leaving that prohibition aside for the moment, would the Minister consider the introduction of legislation entitling a tenant, if he wants to, to purchase outright now without having to paythe purchase price over a period of years—or in other words, to redeem it now?
I can only say that at present there is no question of amending the law, and that no consideration has been given to that proposition; but even if there was, I can only say this: that I would be more than hesitant before amending the law in any fashion that would result in the alienation of these houses which were provided for a certain class.
Is the Minister aware that, if the Deputy's proposal were given effect to and that immediate purchases were to take place, it is not the labourers who would be buying them but rather someone who was doing so behind the labourers' backs?