§ MR. MCFADDENTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Donegal Railway Company, which works the Stranorlar to Glenties line, gave for some years after its opening through bookings of goods, etc., to and from the station at Ballybofry on the latter line; that the working company have discontinued the through bookings to and from Ballybofry for some years past, and at present refuse to book goods, etc., at through rates to and from Ballybofry, and that the result of this stoppage of through bookings to and from Ballybofry Station is that goods for Ballybofry are booked to Stranorlar on the working company's line and then re-booked to Ballybofry from Stranorlar, the distance not being half-a-mile, at an extra cost of 3d. per ton to the consignee; and whether, seeing that the traders of Ballybofry have been in communication with the Board of Works on the subject and desire facilities for through bookings 151 to and from Ballybofry; and, in view of the complaints made to the Board of Works by the traders and merchants of Ballybofry, and of the inconvenience caused to them by the want of through bookings to this station, an inquiry will be directed to be held by the Board of Works into the complaints lodged by the merchants of Ballybofry into the conduct of the Donegal Railway Company in the matter, or such steps taken by the Board of Works as will ensure the removal of the alleged hardship at present suffered by reason of the refusal of the company to grant through bookings of goods, etc., to and from Ballybofry.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) I am informed that the facts are substantially as stated. The Board of Works have communicated with the Donegal Company, and suggested a restoration of the through booking arrangements, but the matter appears to be one which those concerned should bring to the notice of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction.