§ MR. GIBSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in the event of the purchase by the State of the Ashburnham Manuscripts, Her Majesty's Government will consider the propriety of depositing some of those relating to Ireland in a public library or institution in Dublin, in order to render them of easy and inexpensive access to Irish scholars and students?
MR. GLADSTONEThe right hon. and learned Gentleman has, I believe, been already informed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that there is a certain legal difficulty supposed to arise in the case of purchases made by the British Museum. I cannot give any pledge in answer to the Question at the present time; but we will certainly look further into the matter, and will see what can be done.