HC Deb 12 July 1887 vol 317 cc515-7
MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's Co., Ossory)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Between what objects and in what proportions it is proposed to allocate the sum of £50,000, granted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for purposes of Irish improvement?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

said: The Government propose to devote the larger part of this sum to drainage works of a character that can be carried out without the necessity of waiting for preliminary legislation, £12,000 being allocated to works on the Shannon, £6,000 to the Bann, and £5,000 to the Barrow. This is exclusive of £7,000 for preliminary inquiries, with a view to the preparation of a general scheme and legislation next Session for the Barrow and elsewhere, making a total of £30,000 for drainage purposes. It is also proposed to devote £5,000 to the completion of works undertaken by the Piers and Roads Commission for the relief of distress last year in the Counties of Galway and Mayo; £5,000, to be administered through the Royal Dublin Society, as prizes for the purpose of promoting improvement in the breed of horses and cattle; £5,000 as a grant to the Industrial Fisheries School at Baltimore; £1,000 for the establishment of a technical school in connection with the Donegal Industrial Fund; and £750 for the enlargement of the Munster Dairy School. Some minor questions and rival claims remain to be settled; but it is hoped that the estimate for the whole sum will be ready to be submitted to the House within a few days.

MR. HAYDEN (Leitrim, S.)

asked, what was the nature of the proposed works on the Shannon?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, they were arterial drainage works.

MR. HAYDEN

Will they not have the effect of saving the Government an annual charge?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

If the hon. Gentleman will put the Question on the Paper, I will be able to understand it.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say if he understands this Question —How soon is it intended to commence the drainage works on the Bann?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

As soon as possible.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the statement of the Parliamentary Under Secretary as to the allocation of the £50,000 was prepared under his guidance and under the sanction of the Treasury; and upon what principle the different sums had been arrived at; and under whose directions and whose approval?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEST) (St. George's, Hanover Square)

asked the hon. Gentleman to put the Question down on the Paper. He imagined the natural time to discuss the matter would be when the Estimate was brought up.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said, the right hon. Gentleman stated a month ago that he himself would give this information to the House.