§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If tenants are at present liable to any payments for new drainage charges; and, if so, will he take steps to obtain representation for tenants on Drainage Boards?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I understand that proprietors only are charged with the repayment of loans under the Drainage Acts; but that there is a power in the Board of Works to fix the amount of increased rent which a tenant shall pay to his landlord in respect of the improvement effected in his holding by the drainage. In the Arterial Drainage and Land Improvement Bill introduced last Session and the Session before, but not passed, the Government proposed that tenants might, under certain conditions, become electors of members of Drainage Boards, and also be elected members of such Boards. The measure 675 was in charge of the Secretary to the Treasury, and inquiries as to its fate or prospects had better be addressed to him.