I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that quarries exist at Mount Charles, County Donegal, of very beautiful and durable building stone (carboniferous sandstone), which has the advantage of keeping its colour when Portland stone will turn black, and that the said stone has been used in the new buildings of the Royal Dublin Society in Kildare Street; and whether he will take steps to have it used in public buildings in England and Scotland?

I have no knowledge of the stone referred to by the hon. Member, and I should fear that the cost of carriage to London, or, indeed, to any of the eastern or central districts of Great Britain, would be prohibitive of its use. If, however, the hon. Member will cause me to be furnished with a specimen of the stone, and with further particulars as to quality and cost, and as to means and cost of transport, I shall be happy to have the matter examined into in my Department.