HC Deb 04 June 1902 vol 108 cc1402-3
MR. M'GOVERN

I 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. WYNDHAM

The 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 advised, it is not proposed to amend the Local Government Act in the direction suggested.