MR. WALTERLONG (Dublin, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table a Return showing the powers and duties of the Agricultural Department, the Board of Works, and the Local Government Board, respectively.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The powers and duties of the Departments named are, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, set forth in various statutes the interpretation of which rests in the last resort with Courts of Law. I do not think it desirable that I should undertake to lay a Return purporting to give an authoritative statement of these powers and duties.