§ MR. L. P. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland have undertaken to make a contribution of at least £2,000 a year towards the net receipts of the Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen Railway, in case the Order in Council 809 in regard to that line is sanctioned by the Treasury; and whether, if that Order is drawn in every respect similar to the Order in Council for the Ballinrobe and Loughrea arid Mitchelstown Railway, will that satisfy the Treasury as regards the legal point involved as to a heavy railway; and if not, why not?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (SIR JOHN HIBBERT,) OldhamI understand that evidence was given before the Privy Council that an arrangement had been entered into between the promoters and the Midland Great Western Railway, practically to the effect stated. The Treasury having no funds, the question of a new Order cannot arise.
§ MR. HAYDENIs the right hon. gentleman aware that the Ballinrobe and Claremorris and the Loughrea and Attymon Railways were built under an agreement embodied in an Order in Council, stating that they were to be built in every respect similar to the best portion of the Midland main line system, and that these lines are now worked by the Midland Great Western and the Great Southern and Western Railway Companies with their ordinary engines and rolling stock, in like manner as their main lines are worked; and whether, under these circumstances, the Treasury would reconsider their decision to continue to subscribe to these lines?
§ SIR JOHN HIBBERTThe Midland Great Western Railway Company are now working the lines in question as part of their general system under special power given them by the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland Act 1891, Section 6, and not under the powers contained in the Order in Council, and so there is nothing for the Treasury to reconsider.