HC Deb 09 May 1893 vol 12 cc447-8
MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that previous to the passing of the Act 46 & 47 Vic. c. 26, in 1883, which granted a sum of £250,000 out of the Irish Church Fund, for the improvement of harbours in Ireland, the Treasury were in the habit of granting, for many years, sums varying from £3,000 to £5,000 a year, for similar purposes in Ireland, and that since the passing of that Act such grants have been suspended; and whether, considering the great want in many places in Ireland for proper accommodation for poor fishermen, such grants will now be renewed by the Treasury?

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

The suspension of the grants referred to by the hon. Member began in 1875, but they did not disappear from the Estimates till the year 1885–6. I may explain that, under Section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act, 1883, repayments in respect of loans advanced under that Act may be applied by the Board of Works for the purposes of the Act, though the balance at present available is already allocated to works in progress. I am not aware of any intention to renew grants under the older Acts.

MR. FIELD

Is there no fund in existence from which grants can be made for the purposes set forth in the last paragraph of the question?

SIR J. T. HIBBERT

There is no fund out of which we can make grants until there is an available balance arising from repayments under the Act of 1883. It will then be possible to apply such balance.

MR. FIELD

And when will it be available?

SIR J. T. HIBBERT

I cannot say; but I believe it is allocated for some time.