§ 61. Dr. Littleasked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the scarcity of steel and the appeals made for railings and gates, even for the railings surrounding grave plots, 400 tons of the rails of the Clogher Valley Railway in Northern Ireland have been sold and exported to the neutral state of Eire?
§ Captain WaterhouseBefore the export of these light rails was allowed, extensive inquiries were made to discover whether they were needed in this country or in Northern Ireland, but no outlet for them was found. The undertakings in Eire which will be using these rails are performing useful services which indirectly assist the war effort. It, therefore, seemed that to use serviceable rails as scrap would in these circumstances be false economy.
§ Dr. LittleWere the Government of Northern Ireland consulted regarding the sale and export of these rails at a time when there is such a scarcity of steel?
§ Captain WaterhouseYes, Sir; I understand that the Government of Northern Ireland supported the application.
§ Dr. LittleDid the Government of Northern Ireland consent to it?
§ Captain WaterhouseMy information is that they not only consented but supported one, at least, of these applications.