§ M. LYELL (Orkney and Shetland) (for Dr. MACDONALD) (Ross and Cromarty)asked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, "Whether the proposed tunnel between Blackwall and Greenwich is to be proceeded with without fail, in the event of Parliament giv- 22 ing its consent to the continuance of the Coal and Wine Dues for a few years; and also, in the event of Parliament refusing to continue these Dues, whether it is still the intention of his Board to proceed with the tunnel; and, whether, in the event of the continuance of the Dues, his Board will pledge itself to establish a free ferry between Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs?
§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)Before my hon, and gallant Friend answers the Question I wish to ask, Whether his attention has been called to the prospectus of a Company for establishing a lorry between Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs; whether in the advertisement amongst the Directors of the Company appears the name of Dr. Macdonald, M.P.; and whether he can inform the House whether that Dr. Macdonald is a different person from the one that has put down the Question? Also, whether the Metropolitan Board of Works will take stops in the interests of the public to save the public from having to purchase this Forty Company out of the rates?
THE CHAIRMAN (Sir JAMES M'GAREL, HOGG) (Middlesex, Hornsey)It is the intention of the Metropolitan Board, when the Blackwall and Greenwich Tunnel has received the sanction of Parliament, to proceed with the scheme, whether the Coal and Wine Duties are renewed or not. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, I can give no pledge that the Board will establish a free ferry between Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs, in the event of the continuance of the duties. With regard to the Question of my hon. Friend (Mr. Webster), the matter has been mentioned to mo, and I have been shown a paper containing a certain document, stating that a certain gentleman was a member of a Company. I really have not the honour of the acquaintance of the hon. Member (Dr. Macdonald), and whether he is a member of this or any other Company I have not the slightest idea.