§ MR. P. J. SMYTHasked the President of the Board of Trade, If he can state whether the Southern Railway (Clonmel and Thurles) was opened today; or whether, notwithstanding that the certificate of the Board of Trade was granted some days ago, additional obstacles have been put in the way by some of the larger Companies concerned?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINThe Board of Trade authorized the opening of the Southern Railway for public traffic on the 25th June; but as regards the other points referred to in the Question of the hon. Member, I have received no official information. I may, however, be allowed to say that if there is any difficulty, as suggested in the Question, between the Railway Companies, the Board of Trade, having regard to the great public interests involved, would be glad, at the invitation of the Companies, to mediate between them, and see if they can bring their difficulties to a satisfactory conclusion.