MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Belfast and County Down Railway Company ran the s.s. "Slieve Bearnagh" for the conveyance of passengers from Kingstown to view the fleet during Her Majesty's visit to Dublin, and that the same steamer was run for the carriage of passengers between Belfast and Bangor on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday and Monday; whether this vessel was provided with a passenger certificate on these occasions; and whether this particular railway company has legal authority for running passenger steamers from Kingstown, and from Belfast to Bangor.
§ MR. RITCHIEYes, Sir. I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The vessel in question was surveyed and passed by the officers of the Board of Trade before she carried passengers on the occasions and between the ports stated, and although the certificates had not then been actually issued, the Board had telegraphed permission for her to ply.
§ MR. RITCHIEMy attention has not been particularly directed to that. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat the question.