§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a memorial from the neighbouring landholders requesting a Government grant towards the cost of drainage of the Sillies River, county Fermanagh; and whether, having regard to the damage suffered by these small landholders by the annual flooding of their lands and to the fact that they are not able to defray the cost of the necessary drainage, he will give the memorial favourable consideration?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe memorial referred to has been received. There are no funds at my disposal which could be made available for the drainage of the River Sillies, but the persons interested in the matter might apply to the Development Commissioners, if they have not already done so.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will send down an engineer to inquire on the spot what benefit would be conferred by a very small outlay of money, and so encourage the people of the district to come to the assistance of the Government?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not think it would be a kind thing to send down an engineer unless I knew that the money would be forthcoming to carry out any proposal he might make.