DR. KENNYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what are the functions and duties of Commissioners of charitable donations and bequests in Ireland; and whether it is in accordance with the Act relating to such Commissioners that persons having interests in or the direction of public charities, ex officio or otherwise, should be Commissioners of charitable donations and bequests?
MR. J. MORLEYThe functions and duties of the Commissioners of charitable donations and bequests are regulated by the Statutes 7 & 8 Vic. c. 97; 30 & 31 Vic. c. 54; and 34 & 35 Vice. 102. The Commissioners have no powers except such as are conferred by these Statutes. With regard to the second paragraph, I am informed that there is nothing in the Acts relating to the Commissioners disqualifying persons having interests in or the direction of public charities from acting as Com- 144 missioners of charitable donations and bequests. Moreover, Section 23 of 30 & 31 Vic. c. 54 provides that a Judge shall not be disabled by reason of his being a Commissioner from hearing any case which may arise under the Charitable Donations and Bequests Act.
DR. KENNYIs it in accordance with the intention and policy of the Act that persons interested in public charities should become members of this body?
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs not the hon. Member quite capable of answering his own question?