§ 3. Major O'NEILLasked the President of the Board of Trade what results have attended the experimental borings for coal in the vicinity of Lough Neagh?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Board of Trade have not been concerned with the experimental borings at Lough Neagh. This work was originally undertaken, I think, by the Ministry of Munitions and was passed on to the Ministry of Recon struction, which stopped the boring at a 1272 depth of 1,766 feet. The technical advisers estimated that at least another 1,450 feet would have to be bored before the coal measures were reached and that a further 500 feet would have to be gone through to find a good seam of coal.
§ Major O'NEILLIs it not the fact that geological experts are of opinion that the coal under the North of England does extend under this part of Ireland, and is it not worth while to spend a little more money to prove it?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am afraid I cannot add anything to my answer.