§ MR. JASPER TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the drainage works on the Shannon, near Battle-bridge, which it was promised would have been commenced early in April, have not yet been taken in hand; whether he can state the cause of the delay; and how soon the work will be begun, so as to afford employment to the people in the adjoining district of South Leitrim, which is in an impoverished condition?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir JOHN HIBBERT, Oldham)The postponement of the works is mainly due to the difficulty of coming to terms with the owner of certain property interested, but I can assure my hon. Friend that there has not been, and will not be, any avoidable delay on the part of the Board of Works.