HC Deb 07 August 1877 vol 236 c539
CAPTAIN O'BEIRNE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, At what time and place during the recess the inquiry into the administration and constitution of the Irish Board of Works will be held; if such inquiry is to be private; and, if so, will Irish Members of Parliament be permitted to attend; and, will the proceedings of said inquiry be laid before Parliament at some early period of next Session?

MR. W. H. SMITH

The Commission for the purpose of inquiring into the administration and constitution of the Board of Works in Ireland will meet at Dublin during the autumn. I cannot say if it will be private, but that will be the case in all probability. It will rest with the Commission to determine, in consultation with the Irish Government and the Treasury, the exact conditions under which it will be held. If they decide it shall be private, Irish Members of Parliament who may not be members of the Commission will not have the privilege of attending; but the proceedings of the inquiry will be laid before Parliament early next Session.