§ MR. M'COANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 39 If it is true, as reported in the newspapers, that Professor Baldwin has been allowed leave of absence for a year by the Land Commissioners, in order that he may aid in conducting the business of the Migration Company promoted by the honourable Member for Cork; if so, whether there are any precedents for a judicial functionary being so lent to the promoters of a private enterprise; and, whether, during such leave, Professor Baldwin will continue to draw his salary as a Sub-Commissioner?
§ MR. TREVELYANAt the request of the Irish Land Purchase and Settlement Company, arrangements have been made by the Land Commissioners to grant Professor Baldwin leave of absence for a year to enable him to act on the Directorate of that Company. He will receive no pay as a Sub-Commissioner from the date of his quitting his Sub-Commission. The Land Commissioners felt unable to grant less than a year, as they could not obtain a competent person for less than a year. I am not aware whether there is any precedent for such an arrangement. The matter was decided on its merits, and without reference to precedent. Last year Parliament showed its interest in the subject of migration by assigning £50,000 to be devoted to such purposes; and while I must not be understood to assume that, as a matter of course, this Company will be aided by any portion of that sum, I do not think that an undertaking having such objects can properly be described as merely a "private enterprize."