§ Mr. MOOREasked how many Knights of St. Patrick were summoned for an installation of the present junior knight; how many declined to attend; if there is any power of compelling the attendance of a knight at such an installation; if there is power in the statutes of the order to dispense with the attendance of knights who have merely refused to attend on such an occasion; and where the statutes of the order can be inspected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe summoning of the Knights of St. Patrick to a Chapter of the Order is a duty performed by Ulster King of Arms under the directions of the Grand Master of the Order, and I have no information with regard to it. There is no power to compel the attendance of a knight at an investiture. There is power in the statutes of the order to dispense with the necessary quorum at an investiture. Instances of private investiture have been frequent in recent years as in the cases of the Earl of Bandon, Lord 1253W Clonbrock, the Earl of Longford, the Earl of Enniskillen, the late Lord De Ros, and the present junior knight. The statutes of the Order of St. Patrick are in the custody of Ulster King of Arms as registrar of the order.