§ MR. MOLLOY (King's Co., Birr)I wish to make, Sir, a personal explanation. I desire to read the copy of a letter which I have addressed to the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India—
§ "9th May, 1887.
§ "The Right Hon. Viscount Cross, G.C.B., Chairman of the Royal Commission on Education.
§ "My Lord,—I have the honour to inform you of the resignation of my seat at the Board of the Royal Commission on Education. In deference to my Colleagues upon that Commission, I feel it necessary to state the causes of such resignation. In 1885, when the Conservative Government was in close alliance 1470 with the Irish Nationalist Party, I was named one of the Royal Commissioners on Education by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the then Conservative Government. Previous to this recommendation a number of scandalous anonymous libels had been published against the Irish Nationalist Members of the House of Commons. Since the advent to power of the present Conservative Administration, composed of the same gentlemen as those of the previous one, the same anonymous libels have been reproduced by The Times newspaper and issued as a pamphlet. This pamphlet has been used and circulated, as I believe, for political purposes by Members of the present Government. When the Government was challenged in a late debate to afford an opportunity for refuting these infamous accusations by the appointment of a Committee of the House, the Government, although publishing and using such charges, declined to afford this facility. Since this refusal Members of the Government continue to use and circulate these libels in the same manner and for the same purpose as hitherto. Under these circumstances, my self-respect compels mo to resign my position as a Member of the Royal Commission on Education, since it was conferred upon me on the recommendation of these very Gentlemen whose conduct I have above described. I have the honour to be, my Lord, your obedient servant,
§ "BERNARD C. MOLLOY."