§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the high tide on the night of 18th November, 1891, made a large gap in the Clare slob land reclamation embankment, causing serious danger to the navigation of the River 333 Fergus; and whether it is the intention of the Board of Works to repair the embankment, and complete the reclamation of the slob lands, on which a sum of £175,000 has already been expended?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. GORST,) ChathamI am aware of the breach made in the embankment of the Clare slob reclamation by a storm which occurred on the 18th October, 1891. The Government, having carefully considered the matter, have decided not to incur further expenditure upon the undertaking. I should add, perhaps, that the outlay up to date has been £134,053, not £175,000.
§ MR. COXAre we to understand that after an expenditure of £175,000, which the Board of Works bungled as they have bungled everything they have set their hands to, all this money is to be derelict, and be thrown away?
§ SIR J. GORSTYes; I confess this money, £134,000, may be considered as thrown away, and it is not intended to spend any more in the same direction.