HC Deb 23 June 1913 vol 54 cc803-4W
Mr. O'SHEE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, by the will of the Earl of Cork, which is dated 1642, he provided for the completion and endowment of six almshouses at Lismore for old and decayed soldiers, and that the Lismore Board of Guardians, in August, 1907, by resolution asked the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests in Ireland to hold an inquiry into the administration of this charity as, in the opinion of the board of guardians, though no definition was made in his will by the Earl of Cork as to the religious persuasion as to those entitled to the benefits, they have been exclusively given to Protestants; whether he is aware that on the 24th January, 1908, the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests informed the Lismore Board of Guardians that they had no power to hold such an inquiry; whether he will ascertain from the Commissioners what their powers are in the matter; and whether the Commissioners will be represented by counsel before Mr. Justice Barton when the case now listed with regard to a scheme for the administration of this charity comes before him in the Chancery Division at an early date?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests inform me that they have not a copy of the will referred to, but they understand that the six almshouses for men provided for under the will at Lismore are not confined to old and decayed soldiers, but that the benefits have been given to Protestants. The Commissioners informed the Lismore Board of Guardians that they had no power to hold the inquiry asked for. It is in the power of the Commissioners to intervene in the settlement, of the scheme for the administration of this charity, but they understand that the Attorney-General will be represented by counsel in the interests of the charity. In these circumstances, the Commissioners do not consider that they would be justified in incurring the additional cost of being separately represented, unless there is some special reason for their doing so.