§ 41. Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government intend to take over the canals in Ireland; whether he is aware that pooling arrangements are said to exist between the Irish railways and canals to prevent competition; and whether he will make inquiry and publish a Report as to the conditions of inland transport in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEArrangements are being made to place canal traffic under a small committee of control, as was done with the railways. The question of pooling arrangements has been referred to the Irish Railway Executive Committee. A full inquiry into the canal system of Ireland was made by the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Navigations of the United Kingdom, and a Viceregal Commission recently inquired into the Irish railways. The former reported in 1911 and the latter in 1910.
§ Mr. FIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a result of these Commissions nothing was done? Will anything be done?