27. Captain CRAIGasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether he is aware that the Royal harbour of Ardglass, county Down, is at present in bad condition, the bed being silted up; that foul berths, caused by the jagged rock bottom alongside the breakwater necessitate steamers loading fish hauling out at ebb tide; that, owing to the increasing importance of the harbour to the fishing industry, further berthing accommodation is urgently required; and whether he will give instructions that a dredger and a rock cutter be sent there to dredge the harbour to its old standard of ten feet of water and to cut away the rocks alongside the quay, and an inspector to report as to the cheapest and most efficient manner in which further berthing accommodation can be secured?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that the hon. and gallant Member is mistaken in thinking that Ardglass Harbour is in a bad or deteriorated condition, and I am not aware that it is insufficient for the present traffic. The harbour is dredged periodically, and I fear that I do not at present see my way to undertake further works there.
Captain GRAIGHow can the right hon. Gentleman come to such a conclusion? I was there on Monday last, and saw for myself.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI shall be glad to get any information which the hon. Gentleman can give me.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the fishermen on the spot are complaining very bitterly of the way in which this Royal harbour has been treated by those responsible?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have not had any representations on the subject, and shall be glad to consider any that are sent in.
Captain CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry into it? This is the third year in which the Government have done nothing.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI shall certainly consider any representations made.