HC Deb 21 July 1898 vol 62 cc655-6
SIR T. ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if any progress has been made, since the Debate on Friday week, in the negotiations for the restoration to Ireland of the Celtic gold ornaments now in the British Museum?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I have been making inquiries on the subject, and I find that the only two circumstances which permit the British Museum to give up any part of its collection are either that the part of the collection is a duplicate, or is useless for the purposes of the collection; and I am afraid that under neither category can be ranked the golden ornaments referred to by the honourable Baronet. No merely administrative act on my part can alter the conditions; and I am disposed to think that the best plan will be to institute a general inquiry into the relations of the authorities of the British Museum with those of Edinburgh and Dublin, with a view to preventing the removal of characteristic Scotch or Irish curiosities from the country of their origin.

SIR T. ESMONDE

Does the right honourable Gentleman propose to take steps to carry out this inquiry?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Yes, Sir, I do; and if the honourable Baronet will put a question on the subject I shall be pleased to tell him what those steps are.