§ MR. STACPOOLEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his Department will recommend the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland to advance, on the security of the dues received by that body from the local authorities of the Clare Castle Pier and Harbour, county Clare, since 1843–4, the sum reported by the Board of Works engineer to be necessary for improving the pier and harbour, so that the existing obstruction to navigation may be minimized, if not altogether removed?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, the subject mentioned by the hon. Member for Ennis has not yet been laid before the Treasury, and I understand from the Chairman of the Board of Works in Ireland it is not likely to be so, unless a satisfactory answer is given to the inquiries which were made in the letter addressed to the hon. Member by that Board on the 15th November last. Should the Board of Works recommend a loan, such as that mentioned by the hon. Member, the matter will receive the best attention of the Treasury. I think, however, he will see it would be quite inconsistent with the position of the Treasury to take the initiative in making a loan without first being consulted by the local authorities.