§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the Railway Commissioners are to sit in Dublin on the 18th of February; and can he state whether these interested in this inquiry have received due notice; and whether any application has been received to defer the sitting in order to enable the preparation of evidence.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe date mentioned by the hon. Member was that originally fixed, I understand. The Registrar to the Railway and Canal Commission has, however, informed me that as the parties will not all be ready for the hearing on the 18th inst., it has been postponed until after Easter, which will give all parties entitled to be heard on opportunity of preparing their case. Notice of the date will, I am informed, be given to all such parties. I must remind the hon. Member that the Board of Trade have no control over the Commission, which is a Court of 674 Record; any information required as to its proceedings should be obtained by application in the usual manner.
§ MR. CULLINANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that some persons interested in the inquiry to be held on the 18th inst. by the Railway Commissioners into the proposed raising of rates by the Great Northern and Western Railway Company were not cognisant of the fact that the 22nd of January was the last day fixed for the lodging of objections; and whether he will endeavour to get such persons facilities for putting forward their causes of complaint.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question, but I am afraid my only answer can be that no Government Department has any title to intervene in the way suggested ih connection with proceedings before the Railway and Canal Committees. I understand, however, that about 80 ob)ections have been lodged, and I should imagine that in all probability these will sufficiently cover the ground.