HL Deb 01 June 1880 vol 252 cc889-90
THE EARL OF LEITRIM,

who mentioned that in some parts of Ireland canals competed very successfully with railways, asked Her Majesty's Government, What steps they intend to take with respect to that part of the Report of the Committee (21st June, 1878) on the Board of Works, Ireland, which has reference to the Northern system of navigation, especially the Ulster Canal? At present, Parliament voted £1,200 annually towards the maintenance of the Ulster Canal, while their receipts were only £30 a-year. This was in itself very unsatisfactory; but, what was worse, the Canal, after all this expenditure, was of no benefit to the district, owing to an insufficient supply of water at the summit level. With a sufficient supply of water the Canal would yield such receipts as would provide for its maintenance.

EARL SPENCER

remarked, that the Report referred to by the noble Earl was presented two years ago, and it did not appear that Her Majesty's late Government took any steps to carry out the recommendations of the Committee. At the present moment there was such a pressure of Business that the Irish Government, to whom the matter belonged, had not had time to turn their attention to the subject. The question was one which had his strong individual sympathy. When in Ireland he looked into it more than once, and he was aware of the difficulties which surrounded it, and of the great desirability of giving some satisfactory solution to it. He could only assure the noble Earl that the Government would carefully consider the recommendations of the Committee, and he hoped that they would shortly arrive at some definite conclusion.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH

was anxious to explain away some misconception which appeared to exist in the mind of the noble Earl the Lord President of the Council. The subject was one which the late Government in Ireland had fully considered, and had determined to inquire fully into the matter; but some difficulty arose as to whether the Commission to be appointed should be a Royal Commission or a Lord Lieutenant's Commission, and the matter was under consideration when the change of Government took place.

EARL SPENCER

said, he should have stated that the late Government had come to no decision on the question.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH

said, it was quite true that no decision was arrived at.