HC Deb 30 May 1881 vol 261 c1665
MR. P. MARTIN

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Is it the fact as stated in the "Daily News" of Saturday last, that in consequence of the restrictions inserted by the Government in the Relief of Distress Act passed last Session, there is but one alone of the various Irish Railways scheduled with the purpose of being benefitted under that Act which is capable of receiving a loan under its provisions; was it not declared at the time when the Bill was passing through the House, to have been the intention of Parliament to encourage employment by granting loans in all proper cases to these scheduled Railways; and, under the circumstances, is it his intention in the present Session to introduce a Bill to amend the Act?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW)

The statement upon which this Question is founded is not quite correct. It is true that most of the Railway Companies mentioned in the Schedule to the Relief of Distress Act either have not come into existence at all, or are not in a position to borrow money legally, because their share capital is not subscribed, or not paid up. It is not my intention to introduce any Bill which would enable baronial guarantees to be given, or loans to be made to non-existing Companies, or to Companies which cannot legally borrow money.