§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the Estates Commissioners are themselves answerable to Parliament, there is any precedent or analogy for refusing to answer an inquiry with reference to one of their non-judicial subordinates, whose work has been declared incorrect by a county court judge; and whether he will now furnish the House with information in the case in question.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I think the hon. and learned Member has somewhat misapprehended the reply which I gave to his former Question on the 20th instant. It was intended to convey that the responsibility for the action taken by the Estates Commissioners in the case of M'Glone rests entirely upon them, and not upon their inspector, who inquired into the case by their direction and on their behalf. The Commissioners are considering the question whether they will take steps to test the decision of the county court judge, and until this question has been decided it will not be convenient to give further information in the case.