MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Board of Works are in a position to furnish a Return, showing in respect of each of the larger rivers in Ireland—the area of the Catchment basin; the average rainfall in each; the estimated percentage of evaporation, having regard to soil and inclination; the discharge capacity at the mouth; the capacity requisite to discharge the rainfall minus evaporation?
§ MR. HIBBERTSir, I regret to find that there is no such information in possession of the Board of Works as would enable me to give any useful reply to this Question. At the same time, I admit that the information, if obtained, would be both interesting and useful; but as it would be difficult to give a satisfactory Return, except after a con- 1242 siderable lapse of time, and at great expense, I trust that the hon. Member will not press for it.