§ Mr. MOOREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Government have authorised, or are about to authorise, any scheme for diverting the water power of the Lower Bann in the neighbourhood of Kilrea; if he is aware that a surveyor has recently been through this district, on the county Antrim side, and has stated that the works include a canal about five miles long, at a cost of two millions of money; that if the farmers do not agree to let him enter their lands the Government will take the land from them; and will he say if the Government have any responsibility for the undertaking or propose to use compulsory powers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that a representative of some company for the production of electricity by water power recently visited the district, but he was not employed by the Government, nor had he any authority for the statements which he is alleged to have made. The Government have no responsibility in the matter whatever.