§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will obtain from the Board of Control of the Royal Canal a vouched and audited Return of the aggregate amount received by the Midland Railway Company each year since that company acquired the canal from all persons for use of the canal banks or of the grass or other growth on those banks, along the entire course of that canal; a statement of any action taken by the Board to have that money applied to the maintenance of the canal; if the money has been appropriated by the railway company, a reference to any statutory authority or judicial decision under which this has been allowed; and the intention of the Board of Control with reference to the future disposition of this canal property, in view of the unnavigable condition of the canal.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) As I informed the hon. and learned Member on Wednesday last, † the entire question of the constitution and powers of the Board of Control is under consideration, and I am, therefore, not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject of the Question. I would ask the hon. Member to defer further questions in the matter for some little time.