§ MR. PINKERTON (Galway)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he is aware that Memorials have been presented, at different periods, from five Boards of Guardians and three Grand Juries, asking for the removal of the navigation works from the Lower Bann; is he aware that a Royal Commission has reported against the maintenance of these works, that 30,000 acres are annually flooded, and a tax of £1,200 is levied off the distressed farmers to maintain the works, which are inflicting serious injury upon them; is he aware that for 13 years there has not been the slightest attempt at navigation between Coleraine and Lough Neagh; and, is he prepared to lay upon the Table of the House the different Memorials and Petitions relating to this question?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)I am informed that various Memorials have been addressed to the Irish Government on this subject, and that a Royal Commission recommended that the river should be maintained for purposes of drainage only. But the Government has no power to initiate any proceedings in the matter. The latter part of the Question should have been addressed to the Chief Secretary for Ireland.