HC Deb 10 April 1885 vol 296 cc1299-300
MR. SEXTON

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, With reference to the project for the erection of a pier at Clogher Head, county Louth, for sheltering fishing boats and coasters, the request for survey in which case was made so long ago as the 21st January 1884; and the plans and specifications in respect of which were forwarded by the Board of Works to the Fishery Piers and Harbours Commissioners on the 25th April 1884; whether the Fishery Piers and Harbours Commission officially intimated in February last, that they would be prepared to recommend a free grant of three-fourths of the amount (£17,000) estimated by the Board of Works, namely, £12,750, if the remaining fourth, £4,250, were made up by the locality; whether, accordingly, a subscription of over £700 has been publicly made, and presentments, duly fiated, one from the Grand Jury of the county of the town of Drogheda for £700, and one from the Grand Jury of the county of Louth for £4,000, were lodged with the Fishery Piers and Harbours Commission at the beginning of March; and, whether, the conditions prescribed by the Commission having been thus complied with, the Commission have furnished to the Board of Works their final recommendation, and how soon the construction of the pier will be commenced?

MR. HIBBERT

The statements in the Question are substantially correct; but the Fishery Piers and Harbours Commissioners have not yet definitely recommended the case. That Commission is not in my Department; but I un- derstand that the reason of the delay is the very proper one that they are engaged in elaborating a scheme for the complete allotment of the funds at their disposal?

COLONEL NOLAN

With reference to the answer of the hon. Gentleman, may I be allowed to say a word? The simple reason of the delay is that the Chief Secretary for Ireland stopped communication with the Treasury on the subject.

MR. SEXTON

I beg to give Notice that I will put a Question to the Chief Secretary for Ireland with reference to the statement of the hon. Gentleman.