MR. ELYNNI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state what is the present condition of the fishing harbour at Portstewart; whether he is aware that it is alleged by the local fishermen and others that, owing to its being exposed to gales from the west and south-west, the bar has got so filled up with sand and stones to such an extent that at ordinary spring tides the stones are nearly dry, thereby rendering it unsafe for the larger of the fishermen's boats; whether an engineer to the Board of Works has recently examined the harbour: and what Report has he made upon it?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON, Leeds, N.)The clearing out of the stones referred to is a work of maintenance which should be carried out by the County Authorities, to whom the harbour has been transferred. As the Grand Jury has declined to do the work, it will be carried out by the Board of Works and charged to the county.