HC Deb 17 May 1888 vol 326 cc526-7
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

(for Mr. KILBRIDE) (Kerry, S.) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, How much money has been advanced to The MacGillycuddy or the Reeks by the Board of Works since the year 1879; what is the Poor Law valuation of the property on which this money is chargeable; how much, if any, of this loan has been paid back into the Treasury; who inspected the works for which this money was advanced; and, what provision is made to satisfy the Board of Works that money advanced for drainage purposes is so expended?

THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

A total amount of £7,625 has been advanced for the improvement of land since 1879 on this estate, the annual valuation of which is £1,353. Of this amount £150 has at present been repaid. The works were inspected by two of the Inspectors appointed for such purposes. Issues on account of such loans are only made upon certificates of the Board of Works Inspectors as to the amount expended on the works.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

asked, if the hon. Gentleman could state the character of the inspection in cases of this kind; and, whether the Treasury had any assurance as to the nature of the improvement effected by means of the loans?

MR. JACKSON

said, he did not know whether the Treasury had any direct concern with the inspections while they were being made; but when he himself had been in Dublin at the end of last year he made some inquiry into this question, and he understood that the first inspection which was made before the loan was sanctioned was an inspection as to the value which would accrue to the property supposing the works to be carried out. He was informed also that as the works progressed, and before each instalment was paid, there was an inspection of the works which had been done up to the time. Therefore, it was clear that there was an inspection for the purpose of satisfying the requirements that the loan should be made, and also that the instalments were only paid after other inspections.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

Does the Inspector see the receipt for the money expended?

MR. JACKSON

said, he was afraid he could not say that. Besides, he was not sure whether the Inspector would rely upon the receipts; because he (Mr. Jackson) could conceive cases where a receipt might be produced for an amount in excess of what the Inspector deemed to be the value of the work. Therefore, he took it that the Inspector judged by his expert knowledge as to the actual value of the work performed.