§ * MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by 1259 the Londonderry Corporation, as representing the citizens of Londonderry, requesting the Irish Government to grant a Return showing the receipts and disbursements of the Honourable the Irish Society for the past five years, in the administration of their trust; and if so, whether, seeing that similar Returns have been in the past granted by his predecessors in the office of Irish Secretary, he will state why he now objects, as all information on this point has been refused the corporation by the society.
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes, Sir. I have again communicated with the Irish Society on the subject, and am assured that the preparation of a Return in the form suggested would impose an expenditure of time and labour which would be quite incommensurate with results. The society's accounts are published annually, and copies are sent every year to the Londonderry newspapers. I see no sufficient reason, therefore, for granting the Return. I may add that I am informed that a deputation from the society will shortly visit Londonderry, when an opportunity will be afforded the corporation to discuss with the society any matters they may desire to bring forward.
§ * MR. O'DOHERTYHave they not departed from the practice of publishing the balance sheet this year?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am not aware of that.