§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will introduce a short Bill this session giving the Irish Local Government Board power, by Provisional Order, to transfer to a county council any of the powers, duties, and liabilities of any harbour commissioners or trustees (except the commissioners of Royal harbours) in cases where such a transfer is agreed to both by the county council and by the trustees or Commissioners.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverI stated on the 1st inst. that further legislation is unnecessary.† In the case of Courtown Harbour, to which I understand the Question is intended to refer, I am informed that, inasmuch as it is administered by a public body, the transfer of its powers to the county council can be effected by Provisional Order under the 20th Section of the Act of 1898. The Local Government Board would be prepared to make a Provisional Order forthwith and without local inquiry upon receiving a formal resolution to that effect from the county council and the written consent of the harbour trustees to the proposed transfer.