§ 15. Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if on the 6th December, 1917, a definite promise was given by his predecessor to the under-sheriffs of Ireland that an immediate inquiry should be held into the circumstances and conditions of their office, to be conducted by one of the Irish judges sitting with a representative of Dublin Castle and a third person to be named by 514 the under-sheriffs; whether he is aware from the records in the Irish Office that the existing position of the sheriffs' office in Ireland is an unsatisfactory one; and whether, in the public interest, he will take immediate steps to redeem the promise given to the under-sheriffs?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware of the promise given by my predecessor. There has been some delay in appointing a Committee, but steps are now being taken.