§ MR. DILLONTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether a secret meeting of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction has recently been held; and, if so, why its proceedings were not made public; and whether he will lay a full Report of these proceedings upon the Table of the House.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce). I think this Question is put under a slight misapprehension as to the normal character of the meetings of the Agricultural Board and of the Board of Technical Instruction, each of which consists of twelve persons only. Whenever a meeting of either of these Boards is held, notice of the fact is sent to the Press; but it has not, and never has been, the practice to publish the proceedings at any of the meetings. It does not appear desirable to lay a Report of the proceedings upon the Table of the House, because this would set a precedent, and I understand that it is thought better to adhere to the existing practice.