HC Deb 31 August 1893 vol 16 cc1570-1
MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland have declared their inability to advance this year the balance of the grant sanctioned by Parliament for the completion of the River Suck drainage works; and whether, in view of the facts that the time for the completion of these works will expire at the end of this year, and that the Drainage Board have been urged by the Commissioners of Public Works to employ as many men as possible so as to complete the works within the prescribed period, the Treasury will make some arrangements by which the balance of the grants may be made available this year?

COLONEL NOLAN

At the same time may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the time for the completion of the River Suck drainage works will expire at the end of this year; and whether, considering that the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland have urged the Drainage Board to employ as many men as possible so as to complete the works within the prescribed time, the Treasury will advance, during this year, the balance of the grant sanctioned by Parliament for the completion of the works?

*THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) Oldham

The Government are unable to submit a Supplementary Estimate for this service during the present year, but the Treasury and the Board of Works are concerting financial arrangements with a view to preventing any stoppage of the works for want of funds. I understand that the time for completion can, if necessary, be extended by the Board of Works with Treasury assent.

MR. HAYDEN

Will the financial arrangements involve the payment of interest to the Board?

SIR J. T. HIBBERT

That will rest with the Treasury and the Board of Works.

COLONEL NOLAN

Did not the late Government make the grant for these works?

*SIR J. T. HIBBERT

Yes; the difficulty is, however, that provision has not yet been made in the Estimates for the whole of the amount granted.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

When may we expect the works to be completed?

*SIR J. T. HIBBERT

I hope very shortly, if the weather keeps fine.