§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDEI beg to ask the First Lord of the TREASURY if he will take steps to secure that the local newspapers relating to the counties of Wexford and Kerry prior to the year 1835, which have accumulated in the British Museum, and are now about to be destroyed, be handed over to the county councils of these two counties respectively.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe British Museum Bill has been withdrawn, and the authorities, therefore, have no power to destroy the newspapers.
§ MR. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that those county councils, have passed resolutions asking for the return of these papers? Have the British Museum authorities acceded to their request?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot say.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLHave the trustees of the British Museum any legal power to destroy documents?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo. As I understand it, the Bill asked power to transfer the custody of the papers to the local authorities; but it has been with-drawn, and they must, therefore, retain them.