§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if the representative of the Historical Manuscripts Commission has reported on the matter of the Manuscripts of the Irish Franciscans; and, if so, what is the nature 964 I of his report; and what steps will now be taken to publish the manuscripts.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The report of the inspector sent to Dublin to examine the manuscripts of the Irish Franciscans has only just been received, and the Historical Manuscripts Commissioners are now considering how they can best carry into effect his recommendations. His report states that there is a good three months work still to be done over and above the rearrangement of the papers which he considers advisable, before a satisfactory report upon the manuscripts could be placed in the printer's hands. Every effort will be made to complete the publication as soon as possible.