§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India at what date Sir Antony MacDonnell's term of office in Ireland expires.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordNo definite period was fixed for the employment of Sir Antony MacDonnell under the Irish Government. From the point of view of the India Office, all that I can say is that it is unusual for a member of the Council of India to be absent for any prolonged period, and we shall be glad to have the advantage of his presence as soon as his services, which my right hon. friend highly values in Ireland, can be dispensed with.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTDoes Sir Antony MacDonnell in the meantime draw salary which is charged on the revenues of India.
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir; he draws no salary from India as long as he is Under-Secretary for Ireland.
§ MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY-GORE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)Am I to understand that Sir Antony MacDonnell's services are to be indefinitely transferred from India to Ireland?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir, not indefinitely, but no definite period was fixed, and, so far as the India Office is concerned, his services will be valuable to India as soon as they can be dispensed with by my right hon. friend.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Chief secretary with a view to relieving Sir Antony MacDonnell of his position in Ireland?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir.
§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if Sir Antony MacDonnell has recommended to the Estates Commissioners for employment Mr. M'Swiney; 24 and, if so, will he state what experience he has had of practical agricultural work.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTArising out of that Answer, may I ask if Mr. M'Swiney is a relative of Sir Antony?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! I do not see how that arises out of the Answer.