§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in the district of Arigna, in the West of Ireland, there is an undeveloped region, rich in coal and iron ore, which extends into the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon; whether the President of the Local Government Board and the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture in Ireland visited the place with a view to its development; and, if so, what encouragement or support will be given to any project put forward for the opening up of these mines, which would be a boon to the West of Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKECoal is being mined at Arigna. The Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture visited the district some years ago, and subsequently gave evidence before a Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Arigna Valley Railway Bill. I am informed that a company has been recently formed for the further development of the resources of the area.