§ MR. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of
† (4) Debates, cxxxviii., 1214.998 Trade if he will take steps to induce the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland, as owners of the Royal Canal, to have it properly dredged, as owing to the state of the waterway boats can only convey half loads; whether he is aware that the steam dredger which the Board of Trade ordered the Canal Company to provide has not been used on the canal for the past two years; and whether he will at once direct the company to proceed with the cleaning and dredging.
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe periodical reports made by the Midland Great Western Railway Company to the Board of Works show that dredging has been carried out on the Royal Canal regularly and continuously for some time past. During the three months ended 30th June last, thirty-five miles of the canal was cleansed and cleared of weeds. The engineer of the Board of Works will inspect the canal at an early date.