§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct a Board of Trade Inquiry into the circumstances under which Michael M'Nally lost his life in the canal harbour at Longford, with a view to fixing the blame on the proper shoulders for the unprotected state of the harbour?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he will made good his promise in the early part of this Session to favourably consider any Bill which would enable local authorities or canal companies to enclose those parts of their basins or canals in which human life has been frequently lost; whether he is aware that the canal harbour at Longford comes within this category, and that there has been a man drowned there so lately as 28th March last; whether he will examine the Canals and Navigable Rivers Bill, at present before the House, with a view to the adoption of some scheme to compel the inclosure of this dangerous basin?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydonanswer the hon. Member's questions together. The Board of Trade have no power to order such an Inquiry as that desired, and as it is a case which, obviously falls under the jurisdiction of the Coroner, there should be no difficulty in fixing the blame on the proper shoulders. With respect to that portion of the hon. 5 Gentleman's Question referring to proposed legislation, I think if the hon. Gentleman will refer to my previous answers, he will find I gave no such promise as he indicates. Any legislation of such a nature, if desirable, should in my opinion not be limited to Ireland. If the Bill referred to comes on for consideration in the House, I will carefully consider the arguments urged in its favour.