HC Deb 28 February 1896 vol 37 cc1370-1
MR. PATRICK M'HUGH (Leitrim, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he proposes to apply to Parliament for money for the extension of Light Railways in Ireland; and (2) can he say at what period of the present Session he will move in the matter?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. As to the second part of the Question, I should hardly think it possible to do anything in the matter before Easter.

MR. THOMAS B. CURRAN (Donegal, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) if he received, some time ago, a Resolution passed at a public meeting in Carndonagh calling for an extension of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway from Buncrana to Carndonagh viâ Clonmany; and is he aware that Resolutions have been passed unanimously by the Innishowen Board of Guardians to a like effect; (2) is he aware that the First Lord of the Treasury, when Irish Secretary, had intended to construct this line, and was only prevented because of the failure of the money voted by Parliament for the making of light railways in Ireland; and if it has been represented to him that one of the chief industries of Innishowen, that of making shirts, will be jeopardised by reason of competition elsewhere in the county where light railways have been constructed, owing to there being no rapid mode of transit at present throughout this large and populous district with Londonderry; (3) if the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company have proposed to fully equip the line, and work it when made free of expense to the Government or the people; and (4) whether the matter has been considered by the Treasury, and what action they intend taking?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. On the general question, namely, the construction of a line of railway between the points mentioned, I can only state at present that it is my intention to apply to Parliament for funds to provide the extension of light railways in Ireland, and that the case of the line proposed in the Question is being considered with that of others.