§ MR. MOLLOY (King's Co., Birr)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the possible early closing of the Clara and Banagher Railway, owing to the refusal of the Great Southern and Western Railway to renew the agreement for working the lino, which has been in operation during the last 10 years; if the proposal by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company to purchase the line and amalgamate it with their system has been brought to his notice, and the difficulty which has arisen with the Board of Works in consequence of a sum of £30,000 advauced to complete the line under the powers of the Relief of Distress (Ireland) Amendment Act of 1880; if he is aware that the (dosing of this line will inflict 80 serious a blow upon the industry of the surrounding district as may leave the district unable to meet the barony guarantee; and whether ho can see his way to take any steps in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamThe proposal by the Great Southern and Western Railway to purchase the Clara and Banagher line has been brought 368 under the notice of the Treasury.' The Board of Works, as mortgagees, are necessary parties to any transaction having for its object the disposal of the line; but nothing has arisen, or is likely to arise, in connection with the advance referred to in the question of a nature to place a difficulty in the way of a sale to the Great Southern Railway Company.