§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will take steps to secure the preservation in the Irish Record Office of the rate books of the various Irish Poor Law unions as also the Tithe Applotment records, and the records of the Census Returns from 1881.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The rate books of Irish Poor Law unions are the property of the local authorities and are not under my control. The Tithe Applotment books, which are stored in the strong room of the Land Commission, are used in connection both with the recovery of tithe rent-charge and also with land purchase proceedings. They are open to public inspection. The records from which recent Census Returns were prepared are in the custody of the Registrar-General, and being confidential documents they cannot in any way lie made available to the public. The facts relating to the census, so far as they are of public interest, are embodied in the public Census Returns. In the circumstances it does not seem that any of the documents mentioned can be placed in the Irish Record Office.