§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDETo ask the secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of ancient monuments in Ireland inspected by the Board of Works during the last twelve months; the condition in which they were found; the number on which money has been spent in that period and the amount spent on each; and the number of ancient monuments that have come under their charge, or are likely soon to come under their charge, through the operation of the Land Purchase Act of last year.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) One hundred and seventy-three ancient monuments in Ireland were inspected by the Board of Works during the year ended 31st March last, and were found to be in a generally satisfactory condition. £942 19s. 6d. was spent upon forty-two of the monuments in varying amounts. A list of the buildings repaired each year is published in the annual Reports of the Board. 206 monuments are now under their care. The Act of last year has not yet resulted in any addition to this number, and it is not expected to do so to any large extent, as county councils are empowered by the Local Government Act of 1898 to preserve ancient monuments of local interest.