§ VISCOUNT CRICHTONasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to appoint a Commission to inquire into the Northern Navigation system of Ireland, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the Report of the Board of Works (Ireland) Inquiry Committee, 1878?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHSir, the Report to which the Question of the noble Lord refers was presented nearly two years ago. Although the noble Lord has been a Member of the late Board of Treasury, it does not appear that any steps were taken by the Board to carry out the recommendation for a Commission to inquire into the northern navigation system of Ireland. I have not yet had time to enter fully into that important question, but should doubt whether the present would be a favourable moment for instituting the inquiry when the time and energies of many of those who would have to take part in it are fully occupied in dealing with the measures for the relief of distress.