HC Deb 08 July 1903 vol 125 cc30-2
SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, if he will state how the case stands in the matter of the Irish cold ornaments, and whether they are likely soon to be transferred to Ireland.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg also to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of Mr. Justice Farwell's declaration that the Celtic ornaments in the British Museum are the property of the Crown, arrangements will now be made to have them placed in the Dublin Museum.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

These gold ornaments have been declared by the judgment of Mr. Justice Farwell to be treasure trove, and therefore the property of the Crown. In these circumstances, His Majesty has been graciously pleased to express the wish that they should be presented as a free gift to the treasurer of the Irish Academy, and His Majesty's Commissioners of the Treasury have accordingly given instructions that His Majesty's wishes should be carried out.

SIR THOMAS ESMONDE

The First Lord has made an extremely satisfactory announcement, which will be received with much pleasure in Ireland. I take the opportunity of conveying to the right hon. Gentleman and to the Chief Secretary our thanks for the attitude which they have taken up. I am sure their action will be regarded with much satisfaction by the Irish representatives. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will arrange that these ornaments shall be brought down to the tea-room of the House, so that hon. Members who have no other opportunity may be enabled to see them?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will consider the point, but I am not sure that the policy which the hon. Baronet recommends is not rather a condemnation of that which I have tried to promote. He apparently thinks that if these ornaments once go to Ireland they would be buried from public sight.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

We want some of you to see them.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of his gratifying statement, whether the transference of these ornaments to Ireland does not fulfil the object of the Bill which I introduced six years ago, and whether, in view of that, the Government will, in order to save time and the expense of lawsuits, treat my future Bills with more consideration.

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much it has cost the Treasury to decide to whom these ornaments belonged?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir, I am afraid I cannot answer that Question without notice. In regard to the Question of the hon. Member for East Clare, I am afraid that I cannot carry in my mind all the legislative projects with which he has been associated, but I will give the matter my close attention.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

It will be useful to the Government if the right hon. Gentleman does so.