§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether several Orders in Council under the Irish Tramways Acts were passed more than two years ago, which the promoters have never since taken out, and on which the required deposits of 5 per cent on the estimates of the works have not been paid; whether the lines so sanctioned are mostly narrow gauge with excessively steep gradients, similar to the Skull and Skibbereen Tramway, which has proved a complete failure; whether the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works has reported against this class of tramways and against the adoption of any but the standard Irish railway guage; whether serious liabilities are entailed on the ratepayers should the promoters fail to complete and work the lines once their construction has been commenced; and, whether, in view of the foregoing cir- 243 cumstances, the Privy Council will at once cancel all Tramway Orders which have been lying over for a considerable time, and have not been taken up, and on which the deposits have not been paid?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (MR. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)There are five cases in which Committees of the Privy Council more than two years ago recommended Orders under the Tramways Acts, and in which the promoters have failed to take further action. Two of the lines so recommended were of the narrow guage. There are no Orders to be cancelled, as no such Orders have been made. If Orders should be applied for in cases which have been lying over for a considerable time, the Privy Council, before proceeding further with them, would no doubt take into consideration the lapse of time and other circumstances which have occurred since the lines were recommended and see that no injustice is done.