MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in the 448 proposed Southern Railways Amalgamation (Ireland) Bill, it is provided by Clause 19 that the companies will forward via Waterford until Rosslare is opened, thenceforward via Rosslare, traffic of all descriptions they can control between such portions of the districts served by their respective systems in the south and west of Ireland and the south and west of England, including London; and that the Corporation of Dublin passed a resolution disapproving of such diversion from the natural route of traffic; and whether the Board of Trade will consider this matter.
§ MR. RITCHIEThere are provisions in the Bills promoted by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland, dealing with the through traffic, but I am not aware that Clause 19 in either Bill has any reference to the question. I have no doubt that the matter will receive the careful consideration of the Parliamentary Committee to whom the Bills are referred. If that Committee should desire any information from the Board of Trade it will be given.