§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the condition of a public, road between Ballynahinch and Spa, county Down, and to the fact that an application was made to the rural council, and supported by the county surveyor, to have this road steam-rolled, but was refused by the council; and whether, in view of the fact that in the present state of this thoroughfare accidents to vehicles of every description frequently occur, he will cause inquiries to be made with the view of having this road repaired.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have been informed that the road in question is not in good repair, and that the rural district council have refused the county surveyor's application that the road should be steam-rolled. The Board, however, are unable to take any steps to investigate the matter until they receive an appeal from the Down County Council, under Section 82 of the Local Government Act of 1898, complaining that the rural district council have failed to perform their duty of keeping the road in good condition and repair.