HC Deb 16 March 1896 vol 38 cc1001-2
MR. THOMAS B. CURRAN (Donegal, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, how much money has been spent by the Congested Districts Board in the County of Donegal up to the present, distinguishing the amount spent in each barony?

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

The accounts of the Congested Districts Board will be closed on the 31st instant, the end of the current financial year, and it would cause great inconvenience to ascertain the expenditure of the Board in respect of a period ending on a date prior to the 31st instant. In any event, it would be quite impossible to give the Board's expenditure by baronies, and in regard to such expenditure as has been incurred on general schemes or projects, it would be equally impracticable to apportion payments either according to baronies or counties. If, however, the hon. Member desires to have information regarding the number, nature, locality and cost of public works constructed, or in process of construction by the Board, I shall not object to a Return in continuation of that supplied on the Motion of the hon. Baronet the Member for West Kerry in 1893, No. 417 of that Session, which gave similar information up to that date.

DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether any definite and satisfactory settlement has been arrived at as to the payment by the Treasury, out of the moneys provided by Parliament, of the salaries and remuneration of the officers of the Congested Districts Board (Ireland), and the administrative expenses of the Board?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I would refer the hon. Member to page 493 of the Estimates for the coming financial year, which have been laid before the House, from which he will observe that the sum of £3,694 has been provided for the salaries of the official staff of the Congested Districts Board; in addition to which there is a provision for a grant in aid of certain expenditure for salaries and traveling expenses, chargeable on the Board's funds, amounting to £1,000, and a further sum of £1,250 for the travelling expenses of the Commissioners, postage, etc.