§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland are again seeking power to destroy a section of the Royal Canal at Dublin; whether he will allow that proposal to be entertained until the board of control of the Royal Canal has been consulted; whether a meeting of that board is due to be held immediately after each statutory meeting of the railway company; and whether he will ascertain when the last meeting of the board was held.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am aware that the railway company are promoting a Bill for next session, providing amongst 481 other things for the abandonment of a portion of the Broadstone branch of the canal and the matter will therefore be one for the decision of Parliament. The board of control is not in my jurisdiction, but I have ascertained that there is no obligation on them to meet immediately after each statutory meeting of the company, but that a meeting of the board will be held on the 14th instant. Their last meeting was on 24th April, 1907.
§ MR. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Board of Works in a recent Report declare that this railway company is not discharging its legal obligations? Will he require it to do so?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI do not think I will give any pledge as to coercing any Irish Board until I have had an opportunity of considering the matter.