§ MR. HAYDEN (Leitrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a meeting was held at Ballyconnell last week to protest against the Cavan, Leitrim, and Roscommon Light Railway being handed ever to the Company in its present state, it being alleged that bridges and other portions of the work were not satisfactorily executed; whether strict inquiry will be made into these allegations before the line is certified; whether the greater portion of the capital for the making of the line has been advanced by the Board of Works, on which the ratepayers are bound by guarantee to pay five per cent interest; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the fact that under these circumstances the line has been practically built by public money, Catholics, who form the great bulk of the ratepayers on whom the burden of the guarantee will fall, have been excluded in the making of all appointments to positions of trust and emolument; and, whether, if he finds this statement to be correct, he will make such representations to the parties responsible as will secure a fair share of the offices to those who will have to bear: so much of the expense?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) () (who replied) Liverpool, East Toxtethsaid: The Board of Trade have received a copy of a Resolution passed at a meeting of Cavan and Leitrim ratepayers, I calling attention to alleged defects in the railway. As soon as the line is: ready to be inspected, an officer will be appointed to make the necessary in- 903 spection; and his attention will be especially called to the allegation that bridges and other works are not satisfactorily executed. The Board of Trade have no information on the other points referred to in the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. HAYDENWill the hon. Gentleman ask for information on the other points?
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSI am afraid they do not come within the province of the Board of Trade.