§ Mr. GINNELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he was aware that the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland, as owners of the Royal Canal, and constituting a majority of the board of control, allows weeds and silt to grow and accumulate in the canal and impede the traffic, to the loss and inconvenience of boat owners and traders; will he explain why the Board of Trade does not require that company to keep that canal in a, navigable condition, as required by the Act of Parliament under which it is held; whether this will be done now at once; and, if not, whether the free members of the board of control are entitled to get the necessary works done and recover the cost from the railway company?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked whether he was aware that Board of Trade 604 inspectors have repeatedly reported that the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland was neglecting its statutory obligation to keep the Royal Canal in a navigable condition; whether the board of control unanimously declares that one year's neglect makes the canal unnavigable, and that longer neglect would be fatal to it as a waterway, and urges the Irish Government to enforce the statute under which the canal is held; whether the Irish Government refuse to do this pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Canals and uncertain future legislation; and if he will say by what authority the Irish Government suspend the operation of the statute and allow this canal, constructed with public money, to be destroyed, boatmen deprived of their living, and traders injured, in the interest of the railway company?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. Under the Statute it is the Lord Lieutenant and the board of control, and not the Board of Trade, who possess powers with regard to the preservation of the Royal Canal. The Lord Lieutenant has received representations from the board of control to the effect that the canal is not being kept in a satisfactory condition, and the board of control have proposed that the compulsory powers given by the Statute should be put into operation forthwith. The Irish Government, however, is aware that the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways has received evidence with regard to the maintenance of the Royal Canal; and it would obviously be undesirable to use the drastic powers possessed by the Lord Lieutenant and the board of control pending the consideration of any recommendations which the Royal Commission may make in the matter. The Report of the Royal Commission is expected in the course of the coming autumn. The defective condition of the canal is not a matter of recent date; and it is not considered that a short further delay in dealing with it will have any such consequences as are suggested in the question. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the railway company has any representation on the board of control.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the canal is at present in a bad condition, and does he suggest that it is to remain in that condition until legislation follows the Report?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, sir. The condition of the canal is no doubt bad, but it has 605 been so for a very considerable time. The Government think that when they expect in the course of a few months to have the evidence and the Report of the Commission that it is an undesirable moment to put into force the drastic authority vested in the board of control. But the hon. Gentleman need not be under any misapprehension that unless it is attended to the board of control will act.
§ Mr. GINNELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer refer to large improvements which are necessary, or to the decaying weeds? Will he not have the weeds dredged out of the canal at present?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not quite prepared to say that the reply is limited, but the Government do not think this is the time to put in force the drastic powers which they have, and which they hold in reserve.