§ MR. SMOLLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If there is any intention to enforce payment from the directors of that prosperous repro- 699 ductive undertaking, the Madras Irrigation Works, of the debentures in arrear due by that Company, for repayment of which two years' grace was given in 1879; and, whether there is any difficulty in taking possession of these works in default of payment of the instalments as originally fixed?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONIf a Company whose receipts do not meet their working expenses is a prosperous reproductive undertaking, the Madras Irrigation Company comes within that category. The two Questions of the hon. Gentleman refer to matters which have for some time past been under the special attention of the Secretary of State and his Council; but I am afraid that they are matters which do not admit of a very satisfactory solution. As far as the Secretary of State is concerned, he will do all in his power to reduce the burden which this Company has imposed on the revenues of India.