§ MR. KENNEDY (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the loss sustained by boat owners on the Royal Canal of Ireland owing to its unnavigable condition, caused by the growth of weeds and the lowering of its water supply during a considerable portion of the year; that, owing to the lowering of the water supply from the month of April to the middle of January, owners are unable to carry within 15 tons of their regular cargo; that the weeds which should be cut in May are not cut until June; whether he is aware that certain classes of goods can be carried at 2s. per ton cheaper on the canal than on the adjoining railway; and have the Board of Trade any power to compel the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland, as owners of both canal and railway, to preserve the former in good trading condition, so as not to bring about its close in the interest of the latter; if so, will 712 the Board of Trade exercise those powers?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI must refer the hon. Member to a long answer which I gave to a similar question put to me on the 11th of December last by the hon. Member for North West Meath. The company are now seeking Parliamentary powers to raise the level of Loch Owel for the purpose of impounding more water therein. They make Reports every quarter to the Board of Works on the state of the navigation. The Board of Trade have no compulsory powers in the matter. I have no information as to the rate referred to in the second paragraph.
§ MR. KENNEDYWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to obtain compulsory powers by adding a clause to the Midland Great Western Company's Bill now coming before Parliament?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThat will be a question for the Committee after the Bill comes before Parliament.