§ MR. ENGLEDOWI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has come to any decision on the question of the drainage of the River Barrow, Ireland; and whether there is in existence a complete survey of the lands that would be affected by the proposed drainage scheme; and, if not, if he will take steps to have the necessary survey and Report prepared?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have not arrived at any final decision with regard to the drainage of the river Barrow, but the inquiries I have made point to the conclusion that it is very doubtful whether the outlay involved would be sufficiently remunerative to make it worth while to undertake the work. Complete Papers and plans in connection with the drainage scheme exist at the Office of Public Works.
§ MR. ENGLEDOWasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would have the necessary legal notices served on the local landlords and tenants, and the necessary notices inserted in the local papers before November next, so that if it were decided to proceed with this important work next year, the necessary legal preliminaries would have been undertaken.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am afraid that cannot be done. If I were to do so I might raise hopes I would not be able to fulfil.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked whether this had not a serious effect on the sanitary condition of Portarlington, owing to the non-drainage of the Barrow?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURhad not seen that stated.