HC Deb 24 April 1890 vol 343 cc1257-9
DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Knockadoon and Ballycotton piers were both constructed under the same Act, the Board of Works have substantially repaired the former and neglected Ballycotton; can he explain why, although the County Cork Grand Jury (Summer 1889) passed £200 to repair Knockadoon, the Board of Works would not permit them to go on with the work, but did it themselves; if it be correct that the Board of Works has no responsibility for these structures after they are handed ever to the Grand Jury, why, and by what authority, did they accept responsibility for repairing Knockadoon, and deny responsibility in the case of Ballycotton; and whether the Treasury is aware of the fact that the Grand Jury have again refused to take over the Ballycotton pier, for the third time, in consequence of its faulty construction and rapid disintegration?

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

The defects at Knockadoon arose from the inadvertent use of inferior cement in part of the work. The contractors expressed their willingness to supply fresh material free of charge, and the Board of Works were therefore authorised to make the repairs. I am informed by the Board of Works that, in their judgment, no repairs have been, or are required, at Ballycotton.

DR. TANNER

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the first and third paragraphs of my question. Is it not a fact that considerable sums of money have been expended on Ballycotton pier, and did not the hon. Member see for himself that the construction of the pier is faulty? Is he satisfied to allow the work to pass into the hands of the Grand Jury in a faulty condition?

MR. JACKSON

I think the two piers may be placed in the same category. I have no fear of any accident to Ballycotton pier. All the Reports show that the pier is in a satisfactory condition.

DR. TANNER

Who is responsible for the care of Ballycotton pier at the present moment? Is it the Treasury, or the Grand Jury who have positively and absolutely refused to take it over?

MR. JACKSON

I think the Grand Jury are responsible. They have no power to refuse to take it over, and it has been handed over to them.

DR. TANNER

Have not the Grand Jury for the third time refused, in con- sequence of its faulty construction, to take it over? Are they, then, responsible for it?

MR. JACKSON

Yes, Sir.