§ MR. FFRENCHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Board of Works refused the loan of a suction dredger to the Wexford Harbour Board to remove the silt from the harbour, although guarantees were offered against all risks; and whether, as the harbour is silting up more, facilities will be given to the Wexford Harbour Board to purchase a large suction dredger.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH,) Derbyshire, W.Yes, Sir. The Board are advised that their dredger cannot safely be allowed to work on the Wexford bar until the channel is deepened. I understand that the Harbour Commissioners have already a dredger, and that the Board of Public Works offered last year to send an engineer to demonstrate to the Commissioners that their dredger is capable of removing the sand efficiently.
§ MR. FFRENCHWill facilities be given for the purchase of a large suction dredger seeing that the bar has silted up and that vessels engaged in the cross Channel service have grounded on it?
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHWe believe the present dredger can do the work if properly managed.
§ MR. FFRENCHThat is not so.