HC Deb 13 August 1894 vol 28 cc761-2
MR. ROSS (Londonderry)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the proposed new drainage scheme for Dublin is, if carried out, likely to cost at least £500,000; that, in addition to the cost of construction, an annual charge of £12,000 for maintenance will be thrown on the ratepayers; that the scheme has been disapproved of by the chief sanitary experts, except the engineer who devised it; and that the Corporation, notwith standing the protests of all the Dublin newspapers except one, and the resolutions of the ratepayers in public meetings, have refused to grant any inquiry into the merits of the scheme; and whether, in view of the fact that the War Office is the largest ratepayer in Dublin, before proceeding further with the negotiations for the sale of the Pigeon House Fort, ho will call for a Report on the merits of the scheme from the Royal Engineers Corps in Dublin?

* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) Hanley

The Secretary of State is not informed of the estimated ultimate cost to the City of Dublin of its proposed drainage scheme, nor of the difference of opinion that may exist in Dublin on the subject. Any agreement with the Corporation of Dublin in regard to Pigeon House Fort will be based on a full consideration of all the conditions essential to the agreement as far as the War Department is concerned.

MR. ROSS

Has the Secretary for War ever called for or received any Report from the Royal Engineer Corps on the merits of this scheme?

* MR. WOODALL

Yes, Sir; the Royal Engineers have continually advised the right hon. Gentleman on the merits of the scheme, so far as it affects War Department property.

MR. ROSS

Is there any objection to laying the Report of the Royal Engineers on the Table of the House?

* MR. WOODALL

I do not think I can undertake to publish what, after all, is merely a Departmental Report.