§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he has any power to direct the Midland Great Western Railway Company, as owners of the Royal Canal, to clean up and keep this waterway in a condition fit for ordinary traffic; and, if so, will he take steps to see that the canal in the vicinity of Longford is cleaned immediately.
§ MR. BONAR LAWThe Board of Trade have no powers which would 997 enable them to take the action desired by the hon. Member, but I am informed that the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland act as Commissioners for the control of the Royal Canal under an Act of 1818, and that as a result of a very recent inspection of the canal they have called upon the company to put the waterway, including the Longford branch of it, in a proper condition,