§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenent of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the menace to public interests in Ireland by reason of the operation of trusts in connection with the supply of electric power and the obtaining of control of electric tramways; whether he is aware that the Belfast Corporation is about to conclude a bargain with one of the trusts to take over the Cavehill tramways at £60,000, and that it would take £40,000 to put the tramway system in order; and that the trust threaten to secure the right to run tramways into the centre of Belfast, unless the city council come to terms with them; and whether, seeing that the tramways are run at a loss at present; that under the terms of the proposed bargain the tramway company or the trust would retain possession of a recreation ground at the tram terminus, known as Bellevue; that the Corporation of Belfast would thus be incurring a liability of £100,000 to carry passengers to and from Bellevue and that the object of the retention of Bellevue is to compel the corporation to purchase it also, he will take steps to prevent sanction being given to the terms of purchase, or to postpone the purchase until a plebiscite of the ratepayers of Belfast has been taken on the question.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I understand that a Bill was introduced earlier this session with the object of giving to 341 the Cavehill and "Whitewell Tramway Company running powers over parts of the Belfast Corporation Tramways. I have ascertained from the town clerk of Belfast that since the introduction of the Bill negotiations have taken place, with the result that the corporation have agreed to purchase the company's line for the sum of £60,000. It is stated that the present Bill is to be withdrawn, and a Bill is to be promoted next session to confirm the agreement. The hon. Member will, therefore, gather that Parliament will have full opportunity to consider the matter.