§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a memorial, signed on behalf of eighty-five farmers living on the shores of Lough Erne, setting forth the loss and damage sustained by them in consequence of the overflowing of the lake, and particularly the loss sustained to cereal crops this year, and praying for the opening of the floodgates at Belleek, which serve no useful purpose closed; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in this matter?
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§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe persons responsible for working the sluices at Belleek are the Lough and River Erne Drainage Board. The terms of the hon. Member's question have been communicated to their secretary, who states that the floods complained of took place in February and March, and were due to an exceptionally heavy rainfall, and that the sluices during the period of the floods were worked in a thoroughly efficient manner; the Lower Lake being five inches below ordnance level, while in the Upper Lake the flood rose three feet above ordnance level.