§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will grant the Return relative to the case of the Irish gold ornaments standing on the Order Paper.†
I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will state how the case of the Irish gold ornaments stands; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.With regard to the first question, I should like to see the Papers before I can say if they can be given in the form of a Return. I am told that the opinion of the joint committee of law officers of England and Ireland has been taken in regard to the custody of the Irish gold ornaments. We have not yet received the opinion of these officers, but I will communicate with the hon. Baronet as soon as I obtain it. The law's delays in this matter are most remarkable.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman, bearing in mind the long time this matter has been before the law officers of the Crown, and also the fact that a year has passed since he promised that these gold ornaments should be restored to Ireland, see that there is no more unnecessary delay?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir. There has been delay of an extraordinary kind, but I do not think that the law officers are to blame. As soon as one question has been decided by the law officers the ingenuity of certain gentlemen is exercised in raising new points which also have to be decided.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWell, I will ask the right hon. Gentleman to use some of his well-known ingenuity to get this matter settled.
† Return giving the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in the matter of the Iris h gold ornaments, together with copies of the documents in the case.
§ * LORD BALCARRES (Lincolnshire, Chorley)If the right hon. Gentleman thinks favourably of the suggestion to grant the Return asked for, will he be so good as to see that all decisions in these cases are also issued?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI will consider whether the substance of the various decisions can be issued in the Parliamentary Papers. We possibly may be able to give the substance, but not the actual form of words, as these documents are always regarded as confidential.
§ * LORD BALCARRESThen can we have the substance in all other cases?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI will consider that.