HC Deb 20 June 1890 vol 345 cc1487-9
MR. DALTON (Donegal, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether General Sankey, in his recent visit to Donegal to decide on the fittest route for a light railway in North West Donegal, was officially accompanied and advised by a Mr. Edmund Murphy, J.P., an official of the Board of Works; whether he is aware that Mr. Murphy is a Grand Juror of County Donegal, and in that capacity took a prominent part at the last Assizes in advocating one of the competing lines proposed for that district; and whether, though himself an official of the Board of Works, he was one of a deputation that waited on the Board of Works in connection with this railway line; whether, as a matter of fact, the line advocated by Mr. Murphy, and presumably recommended by him to General Sankey, meets with general opposition from the people of North West Donegal; and whether he has sanctioned the practice of officials of the Board of Works taking part officially in securing the adoption of a line of railway in which they are personally interested; and, if not, whether he will convey an expression of his opinion to the Board of Works for the guidance of their officials?

MR. JACKSON

I am informed that General Sankey at Easter paid a visit to Donegal for the purpose of informing himself as to the best route. He was accompanied by Mr. Murphy, but there was no official character attached to the visit. I am not able to enter into details with regard to the question.

MR. W. REDMOND

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question, whether he has sanctioned the practice of officials of the Board of Works taking part officially in securing the adoption of a line of railway in which they are personally interested?

MR. JACKSON

No, Sir. I have neither sanctioned it nor said anything about it. I am not aware, as a matter of fact, whether Mr. Murphy is an offi- cial of the Board of Works. I take it that it was the duty of General Sankey to avail himself of the resources or knowledge of anyone who was capable of giving him information.

MR. W. REDMOND

The hon. Gentleman says he is not aware whether Mr. Murphy is an official of the Board of Works or not. I regret that that answer will render it necessary that the question should be repeated, because the crucial point is whether Mr. Murphy was-an official or not.

MR. JACKSON

In my judgment it does not affect the question at all.

MR. DALTON

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can give any further information as to the cause of the delay in granting the sum of £116,000, recommended so strongly by the Light Railway Commissioners, and approved of unanimously by the Grand Jury of County Donegal at the last Spring Assizes, in favour of the Stranorlar and Glenties line; whether it is a fact that no opposition to the proposed line has been received from any quarter; and whether, in view of the-Board of Works' Report— That the merits of the proposed Light Railway were superior from all points of view as compared with any other Light Railway which might he constructed opening up communication through the same district as the proposed line, the works will be proceeded with without delay?

MR. JACKSON

I regret that I am not in a position at the present moment to make any statement in regard to this line. Any declaration of the decision of the Treasury might seriously prejudice the negotiations now going on.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea how soon the Government will be able to approach the question?

MR. JACKSON

I hope the House will be content for the present with the answer I have given. Negotiations are going on with regard to these lines, and I am doing the best I can to bring about a satisfactory arrangement, so that I may be able to make an announcement to the House. I can assure the hon. and learned Member and the House that, as far as I am concerned, no unnecessary delay will take place. I am endeavouring to make arrangements that will be to the interest of the counties through which these lines will pass.

MR. T. M. HBALY

Is it not the fact that all the arrangements have been before the Treasury for a period of six months? I do not say whether the time has been too long or too short; but they hare been under consideration for a considerable period. May I hope that before the end of the Session, or before the Irish Estimates are brought on—which may not be until December—the arrangements will be completed?

MR. JACKSON

There will be no delay on my part.

MR. COX (Clare, E.)

Does not this line run through a large portion of an estate that is merely waste land, but for which the owner asks for compensation?

MR. JACKSON

I have no knowledge.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

Will the final arrangements in regard to these lines be made before the matter is brought before the House? If so, what use will there be in bringing the matter before the House at all?

MR. JACKSON

I hope that final arrangements will be made shortly, but it will be very difficult to make them unless the Government assume the entire responsibility.

MR. GILHOOLY (Cork, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury are prepared to sanction the grant recommended by the Board of Works for the construction of the Baltimore Extension Light Railway, and what is the cause of the delay in proceeding with the undertaking which passed the Grand Jury of the County of Cork at the Summer Assizes last year?

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. LONG,) Wilts, Devizes

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury has asked me to state that negotiations are going on which he hopes will result in the making of the railway.