§ SIR THOMAS M'CLUREasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether any conclusion in reference to Bann Drainage, in regard to which a deputation waited upon His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland last year, has been arrived at by the Irish Government; if so, what that decision was, and why it has not been carried into effect; and, whether any or what steps will be taken, or help afforded, to remove or mitigate the evils of the system under which a large district is annually flooded, seeing that a large sum has been raised by taxation, and a considerable tax is still levied upon the occupiers for drainage and navigation purposes?
§ MR. HIBBERTMy hon. Friend may feel assured that the Government are quite alive to the local importance of this matter, which, however, is only to a limited extent within their duties. Certain proposals have been made by the Irish Government to the Treasury which are still under discussion between the two Departments. In any arrangement that may be made it would be 650 desirable that the Boards now having authority over the River Bann should be united into one, with power to consider the desirability of continuing or discontinuing the navigation. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put another Question on the subject after the Recess, when I hope to be able to give a more definite answer.