§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury 550 if he can state the total cost of the proceedings relating to the ownership of the Irish gold ornaments; how much of the cost consists of fees to the Law Officers of the Crown; what is the estimated value of the ornaments; and will the Treasury have to pay the costs of both appellants and respondents in the action.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The total cost of the proceedings was £3,114 0s. 2d. The fees of the law officers were £595 5s. The amount paid by the British Museum for the ornaments was £600. The Treasury paid the taxed costs of the British Museum, the defendants in the action, amounting to £1,486 12s. 2d.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)May I ask whether this great expenditure would not have been avoided if my advice had been accepted?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not remember to which of his pieces of valuable advice the hon. Member alludes.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIt was a Bill which I introduced.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not call that advice.