MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the Government will decide as to giving the small sum required for the Ballinrobe and Lough Mask Canal out of the £500,000 already voted; and if any legal difficulty exists in the construction of last year's Act, whether it might easily be removed by non-contentious legislation. May I add that I am not responsible either for the grammar or the geography of the question?
* MR. GERALD BALFOURThe terms of the Act of last year would not admit of a grant being given in aid of this scheme, except so far as regards the proposed steamer service. The deepening of the bed of the river is more a question of drainage than a question of the establishment of communications, and I am not disposed to bring in a Bill to amend the Act of 1896, in order to enable it to be included. I am, however, in communication with the Congested Districts 533 Board on the subject, and it is possible that some practical conclusion may be arrived at.