§ MR. LECKY (Dublin University)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the works which he undertook in the summer of 1897 to have carried out under proper supervision at the ancient ruin of St. Michael's Church on Skellig Michael, in the county of Kerry, have been commenced; and, whether the Superintendent of National Monuments, Ireland, has himself or by his deputy inspected this ancient church and reported on the dangerous condition in which it was placed in 1895 by the fall of its enclosing wall; and, if so, might a Copy of his Report be laid upon the Table of the House.
JUNIOR LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ANSTRUTHER, St. Andrew's Burghs, for Mr. HANBURY)Almost all the repairs promised in 1897 have been carried out. The remainder will be 490 executed during the summer. The church was inspected in 1897 by one of the surveyors of the Board of works, who deprecated any considerable interference with the ruins as unnecessary. Within the last few days one of the Board's, professional officers has been directed to make a further inspection, and if the right honourable Member will raise the question again after the recess, additional information will be afforded to him.