§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that great discontent is felt among the farmers along the Upper Erne at the delay of the Local Drainage Authority in opening the sluice gates at Beleek, thus flooding the lands and allowing so great a mass of water to accumulate that it cannot be allowed to run off quickly without damaging the lands below Beleek; and whether, having regard to the large sums which have been spent on the drainage scheme, the Board of 1578 Works will take steps to advise the Drainage Board as to the proper management of the sluices until a more representative Local Authority can be constituted?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTNo, Sir; I am not aware of the circumstances stated in the first paragraph. The matter has, however, been referred to the Local Drainage Board for their observations. The Board of Works are not empowered by Statute to undertake responsibilities with respect to the management of sluices, which is entirely in the hands of the Drainage Board.
§ MR. DANE (Fermanagh, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the circumstances and into the insufficiency of the Rules?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTI have no power to interfere.