HC Deb 05 May 1871 vol 206 cc333-5
MR. HERON

, in rising to move— That legislative facilities ought to be afforded to the Treasury in order that an Imperial guarantee may in proper cases be given for the interest on capital to be provided for the purpose of completing the Railways of Ireland already authorized by Acts of Parliament, said, that in 1835 the Committee appointed to inquire into the subject re- ported that it was the opinion of all persons who had considered it, that Imperial guarantee was the best remedial measure that could be provided for Ireland.

MR. VANCE

said, he seconded the Resolution. The Government had guaranteed the capital of railways to a very large extent in India; and seeing the small amount involved in the Irish railways—only some £4,500,000—he thought they ought to adopt some similar course with regard to these railways, either by purchasing the railways up altogether, or by guaranteeing the necessary capital.

Amendment proposed, To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "legislative facilities ought to be afforded to the Treasury in order that an Imperial guarantee may in proper cases be given for the interest on capital to be provided for the purpose of completing the Railways of Ireland already authorised by Acts of Parliament,"—(Mr. Heron,) —instead thereof.

MR. BRUEN

said, he should support the Motion. As matters stood at present, the public of Ireland suffered very materially from the manner in which the railway system was managed, for that railway system was broken up into a number of small lines, and the traffic of the country was thereby thrown entirely out of its proper course. He suggested that a great deal of benefit would result from the Irish railways being placed to some extent under the Government, who might form a central Board of Management in Dublin to arrange the whole of the railway affairs of the country.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he could not agree to this Resolution. In the case of the guarantees to Indian railways, which had been referred to, those guarantees were given before the lines were constructed, and were only intended to cover any future difficulties into which railway undertakings might be thrown. The case of the fresh railways, however, was not of the same nature. The construction of these railways had already been sanctioned by Parliament; but, as the promoters could not find sufficient money to go on with them, they were already in the extremest state of default. It would really be shorter work for the Government to pay money for them at once, and nothing could be more dangerous than the adoption of such a principle as that now proposed.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 75; Noes 14: Majority 61.

Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," by leave, withdrawn.

Committee deferred till Monday next.