MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Fitzpatrick, author of the recently published work, The Secret Service Fund under Pitt, had access to the State Papers in Dublin Castle; and whether there is any objection to allow Mr. Fitzpatrick to pursue his investigations, in order to give the history of the Secret Service Fund up to 1886?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.It is the case that the gentleman mentioned had access to certain State Papers under the Regulations of the State Paper Department, whereby historians are granted permission to refer to certain records with the permission of the Keeper of the State Papers. This permission is limited to records of the age of 50 years from the making thereof, and it would therefore not be possible to give the permission suggested in the second paragraph of the question.
§ MR. MACNEILLAre regulations given to the Castle officials for the preservation of State Papers?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin UniversityThey are kept under the Records Act of 1877.
MR. P. O'BRIENIf permission is limited to Papers 50 years old, how is it possible to get particulars of the administration of the Fund under the right hon. Member for Derby (Sir W. V. Harcourt)?
§ MR. MADDENI must ask the hon. Gentleman to postpone the question for 50 years.