MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Great Northern (Ireland) Company dispute that the construction of their tramway from Sutton to Howth is illegal; and, if it is not in accordance with the Act, will he state whether the Board of Trade have ever previously sanctioned a line made contrary to statutory provisions; and, if so, where.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (MR. RITCHIE,) CroydonI understand that the answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. As to the second paragraph the Board have no powers either to sanction or not to sanction the line. They cannot determine the legal questions at issue, they are merely prepared to certify the line as fit for traffic on the understanding that the company will at an early date apply for such further Parliamentary powers as may be found to be necessary.
MR. T. M. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman's inspector ascertain by reference to the Act the condition of the line, and whether the line is now in a legal state?
§ MR. RITCHIEIt is no part of our duty, nor have we inspectors qualified to determine the law on matters of that kind. All that the Board of Trade have to do is to certify that the line is fit to be opened 882 for public traffic. We have to look after matters of safety and nothing more.
MR. T. M. HEALYIs it not part of the function of the Board of Trade, where the Act of Parliament states that the line shall be laid on a level with the road, and when it is laid one foot and a half above that level, to state whether the line is legal or illegal?
§ MR. RITCHIENo; our functions are confined to questions of safety.
MR. T. M. HEALYThen I will ask the Attorney General whether he will consider whether an indictment should not be presented in regard to this line.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! If the hon. Member wishes to put a question of that kind he must give notice.