§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he would state to the House how much cash, if any, have the Church Temporalities Commissioners (Ireland) now in hand; are there any, and what kind, of outstanding claims against the fund yet unsettled; what is the description and value of the property which the Commissioners have yet undisposed of; how many days in each month for the past twelve months did the Commissioners meet; and what are the current expenses of the trust?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, the Church Temporalities Commissioners (Ireland) are not under the control of the Irish Government, and 1404 therefore my knowledge of their proceedings is only derived from their Report for 1875, lately presented to Parliament, in which the hon. Member will find all the information which he desires. I should therefore be sorry to deprive him of the profit and pleasure of reading that Report by making any extracts from it in order to reply to his Question. There is one point, however, not alluded to in that Report, the number of days on which the Commissioners have met in each month for the past 12 months. They are not bound by law, nor by the requirements of their work, to hold such periodical meetings. I believe they meet as often as is necessary for the due performance of their duties.