HC Deb 23 February 1911 vol 21 cc2061-2
Mr. LARDNER

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the executive committee of the Irish County Councils General Council held on Friday, 17th instant, protesting against the proposals of the Road Board in reference to the allocation of Ireland's share of the Development Fund; whether he would examine the reasons on which this protest was based; and, whether, having regard to the reception accorded to the Road Board's proposals in Ireland, he would make representations to the Road Board to withdraw the scheme recently submitted, and to propose a new scheme after consultation with the local authorities in Ireland interested in the scheme.

Mr. BIRRELL

I have seen the resolution referred to. The Road Board have issued a circular to all the county councils in Ireland inviting them to a conference in Dublin early in March, when doubtless the views of the Irish County Councils General Council will receive careful attention.

Mr. LARDNER

Will the right hon. Gentleman support the views of the general council of County Councils?

Mr. BIRRELL

I will consider them.

Mr. LARDNER

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Irish Road Congress held last week in Dublin; whether he was aware that this body included amongst its members the county surveyors of Ireland, who had intimated personal knowledge of Irish roads and national traffic requirements; and, in view of these facts, would he request the Road Board to enter into communication with the General Purposes Committee of the Irish Road Congress with a view to having a new and more acceptable scheme for Ireland substituted by the Road Board for that which they recently submitted to the Irish local authorities?

Mr. BIRRELL

My attention has been directed to the resolution referred to. It is a fact that the Irish Road Congress includes amongst its members a number, if not all, of the county surveyors in Ireland. I would suggest that the Irish Road Congress should communicate their views to the Road Board with a view to their consideration at the proposed conference to be held in Dublin next March.

Mr. LARDNER

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that invitations are extended to the local surveyors to attend the congress?

Mr. BIRRELL

I will see what I can do. It is not my congress.