§ MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether it is in accordance with the wish of the Commissioners of National Education that he has determined to regard their statement relating to the Irish Fee Grant, 438 in reply to the observations of the Secretary to the Treasury, as confidential; and, (2) whether, if the Commissioners, who are gentlemen giving their time to the public service without salary, desire their statement as to how they have endeavoured to perform their duty to be brought before Parliament, he will comply with their request?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have already explained that the document in question is a confidential one. It is unusual to lay such Papers on the Table of the House. If any communication of the kind referred to in the second paragraph were received from the Commissioners, the Irish Government would, of course, submit it for the consideration of the Treasury; but the ultimate decision in such matters must rest with the Government Departments concerned.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe Irish Government and the Treasury.
§ MR. KNOXIf the Commissioners wish their answer to the charges made in this House to be put before this House, have they any way of attaining that object?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir; not without the consent of the Department.