§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Railway Reform Association held a public meeting at which a resolution was unanimously passed criticising the existing Irish railway system, and asking for the appointment of a Viceregal Commission to inquire and report thereon; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am prepared to consider the advisability of instituting some further inquiry into the Irish railway system. But I cannot undertake to deal with the matter during this session.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Are not the Government prepared to do anything in the matter?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am not prepared to say that. One has to be very careful in making any statement lest it should at once be construed into a pledge to take immediate action.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDBut surely it is a perfectly proper thing to ask the intentions of the Government?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI do not think it is a proper thing to cross-examine a Minister as to his intentions across the floor of the House. All I have said is that I am not prepared to say that a Viceregal Commission would be the best body to inquire into the matter. I have intimated my willingness to consider the question of further inquiry, and, having done so, there is nothing more to be said.