§ MR. KENNEDYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the Report to the Irish Board of Works recently made on the condition of the Royal Canal by an inspector of that Board.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe report in question was a confidential report to the Board by one of the Board's inspectors, and it would be contrary to the usual practice in such cases to lay it upon the Table. The Board of Works has directed the Midland and Great Western Company's attention to the defects which exist, and has called upon them to take immediate steps to carry out the necessary works of maintenance and repair.
§ MR. KENNEDYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Report of 1894 was published?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of that, and I do not think it is desirable to publish it.
§ MR. KENNEDYWill the hon. Gentleman show me a copy of the Report?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI will look at it first.