§ 14. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that complaints have been frequently made against the neglect of the Royal Canal by the Midland Great Western Railway Company in the interest of its own traffic, and that in every instance those complaints have been found on investigation to be justified; whether a board of control of the canal was appointed to see that the company discharged its duty; whether he will specify the authority under which the company has again superseded the board; when, and in what manner, the board concurred in its own supersession or in the procedure practically amounting to supersession; under what authority the Board of Works concur in giving exclusive control in a disputed matter to a party found to have neglected its duty in that matter; and whether he will have a meeting of the board of control of the Royal Canal convened forthwith to consider its position in relation to the business for which it was appointed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I have already stated, there have been no recent complaints of neglect of the Royal Canal. Some complaints which were made in past years were found to be justified. The board of control still exists, and has not been in any way superseded by any other body. The Board of Works have no control in relation to the Royal Canal, but their staff, by leave of the Treasury, give their services to the board of control. This Board will meet if any business requiring such a meeting should arise.