§ MR. McKEAN (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say what was the time specified for completion in the original Act of the Castleblayney, Keady, and Armagh Railway; and what extensions of time have since been granted to the company; whether he is aware that the works between Keady and Castleblayney have been idle and derelict, with the exception of a few odd days, for over twelve months, that there is no sign of the re-starting of the works, and that the work of arbitration is still incomplete; and whether, seeing that the farmers through whose lands the works pass suffer by trespass, loss of cattle, and want of privacy and protection by reason of the unfinished state of affairs; and that many of the roads on which overhead and underground bridges are proposed, and proposed accommodation roads, are 1665 in such a state as seriously to interfere with traffic, and also prevent farmers from the use of threshing mills, and such similar conveniences in their farming pursuits, he will say what steps will be taken by the Board of Trade to have the Act carried to immediate completion.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe time originally specified for the completion of this railway was five years from the 8th August, 1900, and it was subsequently extended by Parliament to the 29th November, 1909. I am informed by the Company that the contractor for the railway commenced work about the beginning of the year 1904, and proceeded therewith until the middle of December, 1907, when he stopped working. He resumed in January last, but the company's engineer having recently advised the directors that inadequate progress was being made, they are now in a position to take steps to obtain possession of the works and complete them themselves, and this they propose to do as soon as possible.
§ MR. McKEANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the facts disclosed in the Question constitute the practice of the companies who obtain powers to construct lines which would be for the public good, but do not intend to use them because they would not prove profitable to the company? Will he take steps to compel the companies to carry out these powers?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI think the steps I have indicated as to be taken in this case will be effective.
§ MR. McKEANWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to compel railway companies generally to carry out these powers?
§ MR. CHURCHILLThat is a Question of too wide a scope for me to answer offhand.