§ MR. O'DOHERTYTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, during the Chief Secretaryship of the First Lord of the Treasury, inquiries took place with reference to the State purchase of Irish railways; that, with a view of carrying out such a scheme. Mr. Thomas Robertson was appointed chairman of the Irish Board of Works, and reported favourably thereon; whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the Report and other communications relating thereto; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) No, Sir. I am not aware that such inquiries were instituted. The First Lord in April, 1897, in reply to a Question of the honourable Member for West Waterford, stated that he knew of no reason for departing from the conclusions of the Royal Commissions appointed in 1865 and 1886. They were adverse to the policy of State purchase. I am not prepared to recommend the appointment of a third Royal Com mission.