HC Deb 11 July 1899 vol 74 cc481-2
MR. HEMPHILL (Tyrone, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the correspondence between the Town Commissioners of Strabane and the Local Government Board of Ireland, in which complaint is made that the town of Strabane is included in the area of charge for expenses incurred in the abortive scheme for supplying the districts of Sion and Ballyfalton with water; whether he is aware that the Secretary of the Board, in his letter to the Commissioners, stated that the subject would receive the attention of the Board, although, previous to writing the said letter and after receiving the said complaint of the Commissioners, a sealed Order had actually been issued to the District Council of Strabane including Strabane in the area of charge; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to revoking the sealed Order on being satisfied of its injustice.

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

It is true that the Town Commissioners of Strabane have complained of the inclusion of the town in the area of charge referred to. The facts are as stated in the second paragraph. This case, and others of the same kind, are at present under consideration by the Government.

MR. DAVITT

Has not a competent legal authority in Ireland stated that this order is illegal?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I have heard so.