§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether contracts for the construction of the railway to Castlecomer collieries have been given to an English firm; and, if so, whether tenders were invited by advertisement or otherwise from Irish contractors?
Sir A. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. I may explain that, in view of the importance of beginning the work at once, in order to ensure, if possible, that it should be brought into use by the end of the year, it was thought best in all the circumstances to give the contract to Messrs. Perry and Company, Limited, who already had inspected the location of the proposed line and had the necessary plant at their disposal ready to be placed on the work at once.