§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what steps are being taken by the Historical Manuscripts Commission with a view to the publication of the manuscripts of the Irish Franciscans.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH, Derbyshire, W.)I regret to learn from the Historical Manuscripts Commissioners that the gentleman engaged by them to transcribe the manuscripts has, owing to ill-health and other causes, not made very rapid progress. He has now been relieved of his duties; and a new Inspector will proceed to Dublin next week to press the work to completion.