§ MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieuteuant of Ireland if the Government intend to introduce any Bill next Session dealing with the Bann Drainage; and, if so, whether such, legislation will be framed to avoid local opposition by restricting it to the dissolution of the Navigation Board, the opening of the flood gates, and to abolish the present tax on the district?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy hon. Friend knows the character of the opposition with which my schemes for arterial drainage have been met, and he also knows that we are pledged to a legislative programme which will give in all probability a large share of Parliamentary attention to Irish matters next Session. I cannot, therefore, pledge myself to deal with arterial drainage, great as is my desire to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission.