§ MR. P. C. DOOGAN (Tyrone, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether his attention has been called to the facts that the Lagan Navigation Company lost, in working the Ulster Canal within the past three years ended 28th April, 1896, an aggregate sum amounting to £3,680 18s. 10d., and that this loss resulted mainly from a failure in the supply of water; whether he is aware that the Directors of the Company submitted the reports of three eminent engineers to the Board of Works as to how the defect could be remedied, and that the Board then sent their own engineer, Mr. F. J. Dick, to make a special report; and that these various reports show that a sufficient supply of water can be obtained but at large cost, 1557 and probably requiring an Act of Parliament; and, whether, seeing that the directors stated that if the supply of water be not provided by the Government they would surrender the Ulster Canal, he can explain what steps have been taken to keep this important waterway open in the interests of the four populous Ulster counties through which it passes?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Report for 1895–6 has not been received at the Treasury, but in the two previous years the net loss was £2,540. The existing water supply is no doubt insufficient for the requirements of the canal. The three experts named differed so greatly that the Board instructed their assistant engineer to report, and that report is of course confidential. The subject is receiving due attention, and any public statements would at present be more likely to hinder than facilitate an arrangement.