§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Endowed Schools Commissioners and the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland are the same persons; are all permanent charities and endowments in Ireland now under the control of these bodies; by whom are inspectors appointed over the various properties and institutions; on whose recommendation; what are the qualifications for these inspectorships; how are the inspectors paid, and by whom; how is performance of duty vouched; and will he grant, if moved for, a Return of all the charities and endowed institutions now 10 under the control of these two bodies of Commissioners, showing the date of foundation or acquisition, name of founder, nature of property, original and present value, annual yield, annual expenditure, and how applied.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The two bodies of Commissioners referred to do not consist of the same persons. The Endowed Schools Commissioners, whose statutory title is the Commissioners of Education in Ireland, have control of certain endowments connected with education. The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests have vested in them certain charitable and pious bequests, and have powers for protecting and controlling charities other than those vested in them. In this regard I would refer the hon. Member to the Acts 7 and 8 Vic, c. 97, 30 and 31 Vic, c, 54, and 34 and 35 Vic, c 102. Inspectors of the endowments under the control of the Commissioners of Education are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant under Section 17 of The Educational Endowments (Ireland) Act, 1885. The Lord-Lieutenant satisfies himself as to the competency of the persons whom he appoints, and subsequently as to the satisfactory performance of the duty. The annual fee payable to an inspector ranges from £1 Is. to £3 3s., and is a charge on the endowment. In many cases of small endowments the duty of inspection is performed without fee. The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests do not employ inspectors. I am advised that no public purpose, commensurate with the labour involved, would be served by the preparation of the Return suggested. To prepare such a Return extensive inquiries reaching back for centuries would be necessary, I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the Annual Reports presented to Parliament by each of the bodies in question.