HC Deb 28 June 1878 vol 241 c449
MAJOR O'BEIRNE (for Mr. GRAY)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, On what date was the order given to the Government printer to print the Report and Evidence of the Collection of Rates, Dublin, Commission?

MR. J. LOWTHER

Sir, I am sorry to be obliged to give a somewhat similar answer to this Question as I had to make to the one put to me just now. I received a telegram yesterday from the hon. Member for Tipperary (Mr. Gray), kindly giving me Notice of the Question, and I forwarded his telegram by last night's post to Dublin, requesting a telegraphic answer to be sent to me, which, however, I have not yet received. The hon. Gentleman's Question is altogether upon a different footing from the one I was alluding to just now, as no inquiry outside Dublin apparently would be requisite; but I state the circumstances, so that it may be seen exactly how the case stands.

MAJOR O'BEIRNE (for Mr. GRAY)

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether any appointment to the collector generalship of rates, Dublin, will be made before the House has an opportunity of discussing the Collection of Rates Bill?

MR. J. LOWTHER

Sir, ascertaining that serious public inconvenience was likely to arise from delay in taking action upon the question of the Collector Generalship of Rates, I addressed a communication, under date of June 17, to Mr. Moylan, requesting him to tender his resignation. The choice of a successor has since occupied the attention of the Government, and as soon as the usual formalities have been complied with, the new Collector General will enter upon his duties. As considerable interest is taken by some hon. Members in the matter, I may mention that the gentleman selected for the appointment is Mr. John Byrne.