§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Gerald Balfour, when he was Chief Secretary for Ireland, obtained by request from Mr. Thomas Robertson, the then chairman of the Irish Board of Works, two estimates relating to State purchase of the railways of Ireland; whether one was for total purchase and the other for the cost of guaranteeing dividends to the shareholders, under an arrangement securing to the Government complete control and working of the systems; whether he has any objection to produce those documents-for the information of the House; and will he submit them to the Royal Commission on Irish Railways now sitting for their consideration and report.
§ MR. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for South Roscommon on the 10th June, 1907.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman communicate with Mr. Gerald Balfour and ask him if he had such a report at the Irish Office, and what has come of it?
§ MR. BIRRELLI will make further inquiry.