§ Mr. H. LAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that during the past two years a considerable increase has occurred in the cultivation of oats and wheat in that part of the West Donegal Parliamentary Division which is served by the Lough Swilly Railway Company (Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension); that small farmers in this district are now in the habit of sending small lots of grain to be milled in Letterkenny for 994W domestic consumption; that such farmers are obliged to pay full rates each way on grain and meal, respectively, in addition to expenses of carting, whereas traders can have similar goods carried on the return journey at half rate; and whether having regard to the declared intention of the Government to encourage the maintenance and increase of tillage, the Board of Works will, when settling the terms of a new working agreement in respct of the Letterkenny Railway, insist upon the insertion of provisions placing the occupiers of land in the districts indicated in a more favourable position than heretofore in respect of the carriage of grain, meal, and other farm produce or, in the alternative, of placing the control of this line in the hands of another railway company?
§ Mr. DUKEI am having inquiries made in Ireland with regard to the several matters mentioned in the question.
§ Mr. KELLYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay upon the Table the correspondence between the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland and the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company with reference to the proposals for a renewal of the working agreement of the Letterkenny Railway?
§ Mr. BALDWINI think it is undesirable to lay correspondence on the Table while negotiations are still proceeding.