§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether all the money has yet been advanced by the Treasury as a free grant to the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland, contractors with the Treasury for the construction of the Gal way and 766 Clifden Line; whether the Government pay out of the balance in their hands, or compel the contractors to pay, the wages, about £800, due to the staff carmen and others; whether the Government is aware that the Midland Great Western Company retained in their hands retention money from their sub-contractor over £7,000, and seized on his engines, horses, rails, wagons, &c, valued at £16,000, making, with work not paid for as alleged, in all about £30,000; whether he is aware that only about £3,000 was paid by the Midland Great Western Railway Company to labourers, and that great discontent exists among the employés of the Company; and whether he will make inquiries into the circumstances of the case?
* THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir, J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamThere was paid up to 3rd May, 1893, the sum of £165,219, and the balance remaining is £99,381. The Government cannot interfere between the Midland Great Western Railway Company and the labourers employed by it or its agents. I have no information as to the circumstances alleged in paragraphs 3 and I, nor do I consider it my duly to make inquiries, particularly as I understand that legal proceedings are pending.
§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)May I ask if the engineer who has to pass the accounts of the contractor is permitted to have a pecuniary interest in the contract?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTI must ask for notice of that question.