HC Deb 09 July 1906 vol 160 cc531-3
MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the legal technicality between the Board of Agriculture and the Galway County Council, respecting certain works to be carried out in Kinvara Harbour, has been got over; and will he instruct the Department of Agriculture and the Congested Districts Board to write to the Galway County Council approving of the plans for the extension of the pier, submitted by the county surveyor, so that the contract may be given out at the next meeting of the county council, to be held on July 20th, with a view to starting the work early in August.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.

As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member's Question of June 21st, the legal difficulty is not one which concerns the contribution of the Department of Agriculture, but relates to the powers of the county council to contribute. The Government are advised that under the existing law the county council are not empowered to contribute so large an amount as is proposed in the present case. The question whether legislation may be necessary is under consideration.

MR. DUFFY

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Board of Works to utilise the unexpended moneys to enable the county council to do the necessary repairs?

MR. BRYCE

It seems that the county council have no power to expend the money, and I have no control over the Board of Works. This matter is under the control of the Treasury, whose sanction must be obtained for the expenditure.

MR. SLOAN

What Board of Ireland has the right hon. Gentleman any control over?

MR. BRYCE

That would fill a long list.

MR. DUFFY

But was not a sum of £1,900 placed at the disposal of the Boards of Works to carry out certain repairs to this harbour; have they not still £550 in hand, and will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Board to hand over the money to the county council?

MR. BRYCE

I cannot answer as to the exact figures without notice, and I have told the hon. Member what my relations to the Board of Works are.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter his close attention? It is really very hard on the people of this locality that the work of their little harbour should remain uncompleted because of the inaction of the Treasury.

MR. BRYCE

Unfortunately the law will not permit the county council to do what it is willing to do.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will you at once introduce legislation, giving the county council the necessary powers?

MR. SPEAKER

Notice must be given of that Question.