§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether ho can now state what is the amount of loan which has been applied for by Mr. R. E. Ward, for making har- 1204 bour works and other improvements in Bangor, County Down; what is the date of the first application made in respect of this loan; whether Mr. Ward has offered, in addition to the usual mortgage of the harbour dues, security by way of first charge on property at least three times in value the amount of the loan; and whether he will see that no technical difficulty as to title will further delay the advance of the loan for making these urgently needed improvements?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamThe application was first received through the Board of Trade in August, 1892, but was refused on the ground of insufficient security. Correspondence as to collateral security followed, and the security of certain estates was offered by Mr. Ward in addition to that of the harbour dues. The Public Works Loan Board have been since the 18th May in correspondence with Mr. Ward's solicitors as to his title. There is no technical difficulty so far as the Board are aware, and any delay that has occurred has been on the side of Mr. Ward, who has only to supply the information asked for.