HC Deb 09 May 1906 vol 156 cc1305-6
MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what explanation have the Board of Control of the Royal Canal to offer for having allowed that canal to be rendered unnavigable by and in the interest of the Midland Railway Company; for example, why do they allow the continuance of such leakage at the Spencer Dock as kept four boats with men idle for several days at Dublin last week for want of sufficient water to get away; will any compensation be made, to these boatmen; and will any steps be taken, apart from the Commission of Inquiry, to compel the Midland Company to restore the canal to the condition in which that company acquired it.

* MR. BRYCE

As regards the first and last parts of this Question, I beg to say that I am making inquiries as to the constitution and powers of the Board of Control of the Royal Canal, and am, therefore, not at present prepared to make a statement on the subject. As regards the Spencer Dock, I am informed by the Board of Works that the leakage referred to arose from damage caused to the sill of the dock by an outgoing steamer. To fully repair the damage it will be necessary to close the dock for three weeks, and the railway company have already arranged for publication of the statutory notices that this will be done on June 1st. Meanwhile the company are making arrangements to keep the level of the water as high as possible. The question of compensation is one which lies between the railway company and the boat-owners.

MR. GINNELL

Will the Government allow the company, while purporting to carry out the repairs, to stop the traffic and yet not actually execute the work?

* MR. BRYCE

Of course the traffic must be stopped while the repairs are being done, and no longer.