§ MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received a Report from the Board of Trade inspector on the condition of the Butterley tunnel and the complaints of traders regarding it; whether he can state if he proposes to take any action in consequence of the Report, either regarding the tunnel itself or regarding the Midland Railway Bill now before Parliament; and whether he intends to lay 1386 the Report of the inspector upon the Table of the House.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. KEARLEY, Devonport)Yes, Sir; the Report has been received, and will be laid upon the Table. Sir William Matthews is of opinion that the cost of maintaining a navigable channel through the Butterley tunnel would be out of all proportion to the use which would be made of such through communication, and that the arrangements proposed by the railway company for securing a supply of water may be accepted, provided that the company are required always to maintain a depth sufficient for barges drawing three feet. The Board of Trade therefore suggest that the Midland Railway Company's Bill at present before the House should not be withheld from the consideration of a Committee.