§ MR. M'GOVERNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that the Council of Agriculture for Ireland, at its annual meeting held in Dublin in May, 1901, passed a resolution unanimously asking the Government to have the Local Government (Ireland) Act amended so as to enable County Councils in Ireland to execute arterial drainage works and afforest waste lands, and to simplify the procedure necessary for acquiring lands for these and other public purposes; and is it the intention of the Government to take any steps to amend the Local Government Act as suggested.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe question of arterial drainage is undoubtedly one of importance, but also of considerable magnitude. I see no immediate prospect of being in a position to deal with it. With respect to re-afforestation, a Committee has been appointed to investigate the matter in Great Britain, and the question whether a special inquiry shall also be held in Ireland will be decided when the evidence taken before that Committee is available. As at present 1403 advised, it is not proposed to amend the Local Government Act in the direction suggested.