§ MR. O'DOHERTYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the President of the Board of Agriculture when at the Treasury received a deputation representing, amongst other public bodies, the Londonderry Corporation and the Donegal County Council with reference to the tax of £1,750 paid annually to the Treasury on 795 foot of an advance made on mortgage for the construction of the Letter Kenny Railway; whether the views put forward by the deputation for the abolition of this tax have been considered by the Treasury; and, if so, whether any offer has been made by the Treasury to the railway company working the Letter Kenny Railway with a view to the working company purchasing the railway and thereby relieving the guaranteeing districts from the tax.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.Yes, Sir, my predecessor did receive a deputation as stated in the question. Their views were very carefully considered, and the decision of the Treasury was communicated to the parties concerned in July 1900. It was that it would not be in the interests of the district concerned that the line should be sold to the working Company. No such proposal for sale has therefore been made to them and it would be particularly inexpedient to re-open the question now, while the extension line to Burton Port is in progress.