§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consent to the appointment of a Royal Commission or Select Committee to inquire into the ownership and management of the canals in Ireland, in view of the general complaint against the system of having canals owned by railway companies whose efforts are directed to divert the traffic to their lines?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThere is only one canal in Ireland owned by a railway company, namely, the Royal Canal, which was transferred to the Midland Great Western Railway Company under statutory powers. Under the Railway and Canal Acts, the company cannot hinder the access of any bye-trader to the canal, provided such trader pays the tolls, not exceeding the maximum allowed by the Board of Trade. I should not be prepared to consent to the appointment of a Royal Commission or Select Committee without further evidence of the necessity for inquiry than is at present before me.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLasked whether, if he supplied the right hon. Gentleman with evidence for the traders in the locality, he would consider the matter.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI cannot make any promise beforehand, but I will certainly consider the matter.