HC Deb 04 July 1905 vol 148 cc986-7
MR. CREAN (Cork, S. E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what is the nature of the report of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction regarding the mineral possibilities of the townland of Annaghmore, county Cork; and what steps were taken by the Department's engineer in order to ascertain the mineral character of the land

MR. WALTER LONG

The Department's mining engineer reported that the geological formation of the town-land was carboniferous slate and shales and that coal would not be found in the land visited. During the course of his inspection he found carboniferous slates and shales in the pit put down by the owner of Annaghmore, aid also in the railway cutting. The report was considered unfavourable and would not justify any further expenditure on the surveying of the lands in question.

MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what are the total amounts of surplus funds now in the hands of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; whether the Department carry out or are prepared to carry out inspection of lands on which mineral deposits are thought to exist; and, if so, will the Department consider the advisability of procuring a boring drill, with a view to making practical experiments on the lands of Annaghmore, county Cork, and other places where coal deposits are believed to exist.

MR. WALTER LONG

The surplus amounts approximately to £237,000. The actual amount could only be found by ascertaining the market value of the securities in which the funds are invested. The Department undertakes inspections of lands on which minerals are believed to exist, but they do not engage in prospecting work and do not consider it desirable to procure a boring drill. I have stated in answer to the previous Question the result of the survey of the lands referred to.

MR. FLYNN

But surely the right hon. Gentleman could point out to the Department that it was its obvious duty to undertake this work.