§ MR. SEXTONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If, having regard to the complete failure since recent legislation of the Arterial Drainage Act of 18(54, which requires the initiative to be taken by the landlords to promote the formation of arterial drainage districts, the Government are prepared to bring in a measure extending to tenant occupiers the powers conferred by that Act?
THE CHANOELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS) (for Mr. GLAD, STONE)said, that the Arterial Drainage Act of 1883–4 had by no means been a failure, as would be seen by reference to the Reports of the Irish Board of Works. The cases of 61 districts had been brought forward; 49 Provisional Orders had been issued, and in 32 districts the work had commenced. Between £60,000 and £70,000 was advanced under the Act in 1881, and the total advanced up to this time had been £461,000. Any modification of existing legislation in the direction indicated in the Question would require very careful consideration, and the Government were not at this moment prepared to undertake it.