§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will be prepared to institute an inquiry into the amounts paid by the ratepayers of Kerry towards railway and harbour guarantees in the county; and whether, considering the poverty of the county, nearly three-fourths of it being congested, he will take steps to relieve the ratepayers from the burdens imposed on them, by a readjustment of the rate of interest, and by such payments towards the capital as shall on inquiry be found due to the county.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe only guarantee under which capital and interest are payable to the Commissioners of Public works is that in the case of the Tralee and Fenit Harbour. The question of a readjustment of the rate of interest in this case, and of a remission of part of the capital, has already been under consideration by the Treasury, whose decision was communicated to the harbour board. There are other undertakings in respect to which local guarantees are payable by the county. In the case of two of these (the Headford and Kenmare and West Kerry Railways) the Treasury recoup the county half of the annual charges; this recoupment is distinct from the relief afforded out of the Local Taxation Account under Section 58 (4) of the Local Government Act, 1898. Under the provisions of this section the sum of £5,951 14s. 10d. was paid to the county in the past year on account of railway and other charges. The Government are not aware of any sufficient reasons for an inquiry, such as suggested in the question.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman institute the inquiry suggested in the question?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am afraid I can add nothing to my answer.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman consent to receive any statements on the subject?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am always glad to receive statements.