§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade will the proposed Inland Navigation Commission extend its operation to Ireland; if so, will the Commissioners hold a sitting in Dublin and summon evidence with reference to the Royal Canal; will he take immediate steps to prevent the filling up of any portion of that canal by the Midland Great Western Railway Company; and will he require that company to execute the works specified as necessary to navigation on that canal by 109 Major Marindin in his Report of 23rd August, 1895.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe Royal Commission will deal with Irish Canals, and will no doubt take such steps as may seem necessary to them in the conduct of their inquiry to obtain any information they desire as to the Royal Canal. In the meantime, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for the Blackrock Division of Dublin, the consideration of the proposed abandonment of a portion of that canal will not be proceeded with. The Board of Trade have no powers which would enable them to require the Midland Great Western Railway Company to carry out improvements, but it was understood that the company took steps some years since to remedy the defects pointed out by Sir Francis Marindin.