§ MR. MULHOLLAND (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a public meeting recently held in Porta-ferry, County Down, in support of a light railway from Newtownards to Portaferry; and whether, having regard to the desirability of assisting the development of the important fisheries at Ballyhalbert and Portavogie, and to the great want of railway accommodation in the district, he will recommend that this line should participate in the benefits of the Light Railways (Ireland) Bill?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETAEY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.In answer to my hon. Friend I have to say that copies of the Resolutions passed at the meeting mentioned were received by me and duly acknowledged. I pointed out in my reply that as the Light Railways (Ireland) Bill is general in its terms and does not deal with any particular line, its application to particular districts which may be decided to come under its provisions will be matter for consideration after the Bill becomes law. And the hon. Member will see I can hardly add anything to this in reply to his question.