HC Deb 03 April 1873 vol 215 cc526-7
MR. M'CARTHY DOWNING

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House, at an early day after the Easter Recess, Copies of the three Reports made to the Government by the Commissioners appointed last year to inquire into the cases of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and certain other branches of the Civil Service in Ireland?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

The Reports, Sir, of the Commission to which the hon. Gentleman refers were made to the Treasury and not to the Irish Government. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already answered several Questions repecting them, and I do not know that I have anything to add to what my right hon. Friend has stated; but I would point out to my hon. Friend that these Reports deal with questions of great importance and very considerable difficulty, which not only affect the interests reported on, but also raise questions as to the sources from which additional expenditure may be drawn. It will, I think, be desirable that time should be allowed for their consideration by the Government before these Reports are laid upon the Table.