§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of leases or lettings held, and by whom, of foreshores round the Irish coasts, and the conditions under which these are granted, together with the particulars of the cases where the right of ownership is exorcised with the knowledge of the Board.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) It has been the practice of the Board of Trade to present to Parliament once in every five years a statement of the particulars of all cases in which the rights and interests of the Crown in the shores and bed of the sea and tidal rivers have been sold, leased, or otherwise dealt with by the Board of Trade. The last Return contained the cases for the five years terminating December 31st, 1901. I can 12 supply the hon. Member with copies of these Returns, and also with similar statements as to dealings by the Board of Trade for the years 1902, 1903, and 1904. I am advised that it would not be expedient to give the information asked for in the latter part of the Question.