§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
1078§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHMy Lords, this Bill, which has met with the approval of everybody connected with Ireland, and has passed through the other House without opposition, is intended to provide money for the construction, improvement, and maintenance of harbours in the congested districts along the West coast of Ireland. The harbour of Liscannor, about which my noble friend the Earl of Mayo has asked on one or two occasions for information, has been specially mentioned in order to bring it within the purview of the Bill, it being just outside the congested districts. Liscannor Harbour, however, is not placed on the same footing as the others, inasmuch as the advance to be made by the Treasury in respect to this harbour is not to exceed two-thirds of the cost of the execution and equipment of the work, the balance being defrayed by the Department of Agriculture, and by persons locally interested who use the harbour. I beg to move the Second Reading of the Bill.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The End of Deubigh.)
THE EARL OF MAYOMy Lords, in supporting the Second Reading of this Bill, I think it right to say that we in Ireland regard it as a very useful measure. The provision in Clause I with regard to the "reconstruction" of a marine work is a most important one, and I am glad the Bill has been applied specially to Liscannor Harbour. This is a harbour winch it is most difficult to get into, and. when in it, it is almost impossible to get out. I quite agree with the provision that one-third of the money must lie found by those who own the quarries and use the harbour. That is the proper policy to adopt in regard to Ireland—for those who desire help should, to a certain extent, help themselves. We, in Ireland, are delighted that the Bill is to become law this session.
§ LORD KILLANINMy Lords, as a resident in a congested district county in Ireland, I should not like the Second Reading of this Bill, which applies exclusively to congested districts, to take place without giving expression to my appreciation of its great value and usefulness. I also think that the Chief Secretary for Ireland deserves a word of thanks for bringing in this much-needed Bill. Not alone am I a resident 1079 in a congested district county, but my home is in the middle of a congested district area, and I am also a member of the County Council and of the District Council which administer the affairs of the district in which my home is situated. I am, therefore, being conversant with the public affairs of my county, the more capable of recognising the merits of this Bill. The main provisions of the measure are for the purpose of assisting these poor districts to carry out important measures which, on account of their poverty, they could not accomplish without assistance. That will be a great advantage, because it will develop the resources of the districts and make them more prosperous than they have been in the past. The 11th Clause I am particularly glad to see, because there is in that Clause an arrangement in the nature of an insurance by which the upkeep and maintenance of large marine works, when they are built, need not rest any longer on the district. By a small local contribution the district can, I am glad to see, be relieved of the by no means light burden of maintaining these works, which, being marine works, are liable to very serious damage on account of severe storms. That will be a great advantage to these districts, and I have therefore much pleasure in supporting the Bill.
§ Bill read 2a (according to Order); Committee negatived. Then (Standing Orders Nos. XXXIX. and XLV. having been suspended); Bill read 3a, and passed.