§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the provisions of the Belief of Distress (Ireland) Act are intended to extend the powers of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland to grant loans to the trustees of legally constituted drainage districts in the same manner and upon the same terms, as loans are now granted to boards of guardians, grand juries of counties, and other local authorities; and, if it is not so intended in the Bill, as now printed, whether he will introduce a provision giving such powers when the House is in Committee on the Bill.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe Relief Bill contains no provisions with regard to loans to the trustees of drainage districts. I cannot now anticipate the discussion on the Bill; but at present I have no intention of proposing any provisions with regard to drainage districts.
§ MR. PARNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, before the Belief of Distress (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill reaches the Committee stage, he can lay upon the Table of the House a Statement showing the Railway Companies which it is intended to make loans to under the provisions of the Bill; also the mileage proposed to be constructed by each of such Companies, and the amount of the proposed loan to each Company.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThere is a clause in the Belief Bill enabling the baronies through which a railway passes—that is, the persons locally interested—to give collateral security to railways having borrowing powers and wishing to borrow. No baronial presentment sessions for the purpose of guarantee can be held till the Bill is passed. It must, therefore, be evident that it is impossible for me to lay on the Table of the House the statement for which the hon. Member asks.
§ MR. PARNELLSir, in consequence of the reply I have received from the Chief Secretary for Ireland, I beg to give Notice that on Thursday I will ask him, Whether the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the authority consti- 1457 tuted by the Relief of Distress (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill to make loans to railway or other Companies having borrowing powers, have given the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the railway or other public Companies to whom it is desirable, or would be desirable, to make such loans; and, if so, whether he will communicate the information to the House?
§ COLONEL COLTHURSTsaid, he would, in Committee on the Relief of Distress Bill, move the insertion of a clause extending the power to issue relief to able-bodied persons to June, 1881.