§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state when he intends to carry out the promise made last year that the Government would test in a Court of Law the right of the British Museum authorities to retain in their possession certain gold ornaments found in Ireland.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe kaleidoscopic changes on this question seem to be endless. In August last the then Chief Secretary said it had recently been ascertained that the right to possession was governed by a grant of James I., confirmed by charter of Charles II., and since then doubts have arisen whether the Crown have any right to press a claim against the British Museum.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDBut do the Government intend to fulfil their pledge to ascertain if the British Museum has a right to retain these ornaments?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe present Chief Secretary for Ireland has been going carefully into the matter, giving it his personal attention, and has received a deputation on the subject. If the hon. Member will communicate with my right lion, friend, all the information at the disposal of the Government would be placed before him. I may point out, however, that the doubts to which I have referred have arisen since the pledge was given.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)Will the information be laid before the House? Many Members are interested in the subject.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe position of the Crown in such a matter introduces complications which make it impossible at the moment to carry out the pledge given last year.