§ Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that an application was made to the Treasury on behalf of the Barrow Drainage Committee for a grant from the Development Fund for the purpose of executing certain drainage works in the valley of the Barrow; whether plans and specifications 2505 were lodged with the Treasury in connection with the said application; whether the Treasury recognised the Barrow Drainage Committee as an association within the meaning of the Development Funds Act; whether this application was sent by the Treasury to the Irish Board of Works for investigation and report; whether, acting on the report of the Irish Board of Works, the Development Fund Commissioners have refused to make the grant practically promised by the Treasury; whether an application was made to the Development Commissioners for a copy of the Report by the Irish Board of Works and refused; and whether he will have a copy of the said Report furnished to the Barrow Drainage Committee for the purpose of investigation and trying whether the objections raised by the Irish Board of Works can be removed?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. McKinnon Wood)It is quite incorrect to say that a grant from the Development Fund was practically promised by the Treasury to the Barrow Drainage Committee. The Treasury has no power to sanction an advance from the fund unless it is recommended by the Development Commission. I cannot undertake to communicate to applicants the reports of Government Departments upon their applications; but the letter from the Treasury communicating the decision upon the application of the Barrow Drainage Committee will contain a summary of the reasons given by the Development Commission for their recommendation.