§ MR. GIBSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the memorandum of the Irish Land Commission, dated 28th August, recommending the appointment of Court Official Valuers was communicated officially to the Irish Executive, and contained the well considered views of all the Commissioners in favour of the proposal; whether he received a deputation in Dublin which publicly gave some views opposed to these appointments, and the First Lord of the Treasury lately 221 laid upon the Table a memorial of the same purport; and, whether, under these circumstances, it is desirable to keep secret the memorandum which caused and justified the appointments?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe recommendation of the Land Commissioners referred to in this Question is an official communication from one Government Department to another, and quite fulfils the conditions referred to by the right hon. and learned Member. As I have already explained, the Land Commissioners unanimously object to its being presented. I have recognized the truth of the facts stated by the right hon. and learned Gentleman; but I cannot see any point in this Question which should induce me to depart from the answer on the matter which I have already communicated to the House.
§ MR. GIBSONasked whether the right hon. Gentleman considered the Irish Court of Land Commission to be a Government Department?
§ MR. TREVELYANInasmuch as it makes recommendations by letter on questions which we may call administrative, it may be called a Government Department. But inasmuch as it gives judgment, I have always endeavoured, though under great difficulty, considering the nature of the Questions to which I am subjected in this Blouse, to protest against its having any connection with the Government whatsoever.