MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any information is accessible to Members as to the expenditure of the £40,000 received for horse breeding by the Royal Dublin Society under the Probate Grant since 1888?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe grant of £5,000 received annually by the Royal Dublin Society under the Probate Duties Act of 1888 is applicable to the improvement of the breed of cattle as well as horses. The Comptroller and Auditor-General satisfies himself that the money has been rightly disposed of, but no report is made by him to Parliament on the subject. The Council of the Royal Dublin Society publish an annual report, which contains their audited accounts and gives information regarding the horse and cattle-breeding schemes. This report is on sale to the public. I shall be happy to furnish the hon. and learned Member with a copy of the last report of the Council if he should care to have one.
MR. T. M. HEALYwas understood to ask whether the Auditor General could make a special Report to Parliament?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURwas understood to say that to give such an undertaking would hardly be within his province. He should be glad to show a copy of the report of the Royal Dublin Society to the hon. and learned Member.