§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any application has been made to his Department respecting the closing of that portion of the Royal Canal running from the main waterway to the Broadstone Station; whether, in view of the fact that the whole subject of canals and waterways in Ireland is about to be considered by a Commission which shall report to this House, he will delay giving sanction to closing any portion of the Royal Canal until an opportunity is afforded to take evidence and the opinions of those who are opposed to close up canals in the interest of railway companies.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Application has been made by the Midland Great Western Railway Company under Section 45 of The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, for a warrant of abandonment of the Broadstone branch of the Royal Canal, but, in view of the circumstances to which the hon. Member 72 refers, the consideration of the application will not for the present be proceeded with.