§ DR. LYONSasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether My Lords will consent to stay the sale of the Ulster Canal until further evidence be taken as to the bearing and influence which this important link of connection in the inland waterways of Ireland may possibly exert in facilitating the transport of the materials and products of an extended system of industries in that part of the United Kingdom?
§ MR. HIBBERTThe Question of my hon. Friend affords me the opportunity of explaining the position of the Government with respect to this matter. The primary object of the Government throughout has been to do what seemed the best for the interests of the locality concerned, so far as could be done consistently with our duty to consider the pecuniary interests of the general taxpayer. As far as it was possible to ascertain it, the opinion of the districts through which the Canal passes was, and is, unanimously in favour of its retention as a water communication. There is also a general desire that the Canal should be improved, so as to make it more available for traffic; and my hon. Friend the Member for Liskeard (Mr. Courtney) thought that he had secured both these objects with terms favourable to the interests of the locality and fair to the public by the scheme which is embodied in the Bills of the last and present Sessions. The local opinion appears to be in favour of this scheme, subject to certain amendments with respect to details, which have been accepted by the Government; but I have gathered, greatly to my surprise, that, although the opinions of the localities are favourable, the feeling amongst the Irish Members is adverse to it. The objections of hon. Members seem to rest mainly on financial grounds; but they could be remedied by modifications in the scheme.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORDoes that mean that the Government will withdraw the Bill?
§ MR. HIBBERTNo; but that they will consider what modifications could be made in it.