§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the Donegal Railway system has been acquired by the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) and the Midland Railway Company (England), and that these companies have offered to relieve the guaranteeing districts of the tax at present payable by them on the Glenties and Killybegs Railways, the Treasury will hand over the railways to the company, and forego any claim they may have in respect thereof.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The Donegal Railway system has not yet been acquired by the two companies referred to, although they are promoting a Bill for that purpose. The charge on
† See (4) Debates, cxxxvi., 19.1303 the county has been insignificant in comparison with the benefit derived from the railways, and I can hold out no prospect that the Treasury will forego its claims in respect of these lines, practically the whole cost of which was defrayed by Government.