14. Lieut.-Colonel ALLENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the flooded state of the areas contiguous to the water course of the River Bann and the shores of Lough Neagh in Ireland; whether he is aware that, as a result, the floods at present have driven people from their homes which, in many cases, are flooded with 18 inches deep of water, crops of all kinds are lost, cattle are dying, the health of the inhabitants suffering, and sick people who cannot be removed are lying in beds 1019 with a foot deep of water on the floors of one-storey buildings; whether this is almost an annual occurrence; that upwards of 30,000 acres of land are thus submerged, the crops of which are lost to the inhabitants; whether he is aware that these people have been paying for a drainage scheme since 1847 without receiving any benefits therefrom; that appeals have been made to the Government to carry out a scheme of drainage recommended in 1906 by the late Sir Alexander Binnie, President of the Institute of Civil Engineers, at a cost of £70,000; and whether he will take immediate action to remedy this disastrous state of affairs by having this work carried out, thereby relieving suffering and loss, and incidentally giving work to ex-soldiers for whom no employment can be found?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am well aware of the unfortunate damage done by the flooding of this river, I have been," and am, considering the whole question.
Lieut.-Colonel ALLENWhen may the House be informed of the right hon. Gentleman's decision? It is a very serious matter.